Jan Dismas Zelenka

Born in 1679 in Lounovice, Bohemia

Died in 1745

Nationality: Bohemian (Czech)

Period/Style: Baroque

About the composer:

This is one of those composers referred to as “under-appreciated.”  That means he was a major composer of the Baroque period, but for some reason never got to be as well known as some of his contemporaries.  The music of Zelenka is on a par with that of Telemann, even Bach, and other Baroque composers, yet we don’t hear much of it today because it hasn’t been published, performed or recorded as much as the music of the more famous composers.  Zelenka was a bass player. He wrote mostly church music, but also some instrumental works.

About the music:

Trio Sonatas

These sonatas are written for small groups of instruments, often two oboes, two bassoons, a bass and harpsichord, although sometimes violins are used in the mix.  They are quite elaborate, and the different parts are completely independent of one another, but complement one another well.