Kucharz, Johann Baptist (real name, Jan Krtitcl Kuchakr)

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Kucharz, Johann Baptist (real name, Jan Křtitcl Kuchakř)

Kucharz, Johann Baptist (real name, Jan Křtitcl KuchaKř), Bohemian organist and composer; b. Chotec, March 5, 1751; d. Prague, Feb. 18, 1829. He began his music training with the Vrchlabi cantor and organist A. Tham. After organ studies at the Jesuit colleges in Königgratz and Gitschin, he completed his training in Prague with J.N. Seger. From 1772 to 1790 he was organist of Prague’s Heinrichskirche, and then at the monastic church of the Premonstratensian Abbey from 1790 until his death. From 1791 to 1797 he also was maestro di cappella of Prague’s Italian Opera. Kucharz was highly regarded as an organist. In addition to much organ music, he also composed some sacred works. He was the first to arrange vocal scores of works by Mozart.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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