Michna, Adam Václav

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Michna, Adam Václav

Michna, Adam Václav, notable Czech composer; b. probably in Jindrichuv Hradec, c. 1600; d. there, Nov. 2, 1676. He pursued his career in his native town. After training at the Jesuit Gymnasium, he became town organist about 1633. He also was active as a wine merchant, property owner, and civic leader. Michna particularly distinguished himself as a composer of vernacular hymns and Latin concertato works.

Works

Česká mariánská muzika for 4 to 5 Voices and Basso Continuo (Prague, 1647; ed. by J. Sehnal and L. Stukavec, Prague, 1974); Officium vespertinum for 5 Voices and Instruments, op.5 (Prague, 1648); Loutna česká for Violin, Strings, and Organ (Prague, 1653; incomplete; reconstruction ed. by E. Trolda, Prague, 1943); Sacra et litaniae (Prague, 1654; includes 6 masses, a Requiem, a Te Deum, and 2 litany settings for 4 to 8 Voices and Instruments); Svatoroöni muzika for 4 to 5 Voices and Basso Continuo (Prague, 1661); Missa Sancii Wenceslai for 6 Voices, 2 Violins, 4 Violas, 2 Trumpets, and Organ (n.d.; ed. by J. Sehnal, Musica Antiqua Bohemia, 2nd series, I, 1966).

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire

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