Fiala, Joseph

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Fiala, Joseph

Fiala, Joseph, Bohemian oboist, cellist, viola da gambist, and composer; b. Lochovice, Feb. 3, 1748; d. Donaueschingen, July 31, 1816. He studied oboe with Stiastny and cello with Werner. After playing oboe in the band of Prince Kraft Ernst in Oettingen-Wallerstein (1774–77), he was in the service of the Elector Maxmilian Joseph in Munich, where he became a friend of Mozart. From 1778 to 1785 he was a member of the orch. of the archbishop of Salzburg. Following a sojourn in Vienna (1785–86), he was in the service of Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg. In 1790 he returned to Germany and was active as a viola da gambist in Breslau and Berlin. In 1792 he settled in Donaueschingen as Kapellmeister to Prince Fiirstenberg. Among his works were orch. pieces, music for wind band, a Mass, chamber music, and keyboard works.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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