Ryba, Jakub (Šimon) Jan

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Ryba, Jakub (Šimon) Jan

Ryba, Jakub (Šimon) Jan , Czech choirmaster, teacher, writer on music, and composer; b. Přešstice, Oct. 26, 1765; d. (suicide) Rožmitál pod Třemšinem, April 8, 1815. He studied academic subjects in Prague, and in 1788 became school- and choirmaster in Rožmitál. He wrote about 90 masses, the most famous being Hej, mistre (Hail, Master!; 1796); he also composed various other sacred works, including 7 Requiems, numerous motets, over 50 pastorellas, arias, and choruses. His secular works include 6 stage pieces and songs. He was also a prolific composer of instrumental music, but little of it is extant.

Bibliography

J. Nĕmeček, Svĕtskĕ skladby ].]. R.(Secular Works; diss., Univ. of Prague, 1945); idem, J.J. R.: Zivot a dilo (Life and Works; Prague, 1963).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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