Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

The Fruits of Parnassus - A Portrait of Johann Joseph Fux

Catherine Bott reflects on the life and music of Habsburg court composer Johann Joseph Fux, much admired by Bach and whose influence on the world of music continues today.

Catherine Bott reflects on the life and music of the largely forgotten 18th Century court composer Johann Joseph Fux. He was immensely prolific and enjoyed one of the most prestigious musical positions in Europe, as composer to the Habsburgs in Vienna. JS Bach regarded him as the finest of his contemporaries; and Fux's treatise on musical counterpoint - "Gradus ad Parnassum" - proved a huge influence on Haydn and Beethoven, and is still studied today.

Catherine outlines the life, takes a brief look at "Gradus" and presents a range of recordings from Fux's output giving a flavour of the sound of the Hapsburg court in Vienna in the early 18th Century.

This is the second of two programmes focusing on the music of the Habsburgs.

The programme includes readings from 鈥淪teps to Parnassus: The study of counterpoint鈥 by Johann Joseph Fux (translated and edited by Alfred Mann with the collaboration of John St Edmunds), pub. J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 20 Mar 2011 13:00

Music Played

  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Te Deum, K 271: 'Te Deum'

    Performers: Armonico Tributo Austria, Lorenz Duftschmid (director)

    • CPO.
    • 999 8502.
  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Aria "Aveva ancor bambino" from 'La Deposizione della Croce'

    Performers: Dorothea R枚schmann (Vergine), Wiener Akademie, Martin Haselb枚ck (director)

    • Novalis.
    • 150089-2.
  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Ouverture a 4 (first movement)

    Performers: Clemencic Consort, Rene Clemencic (director)

    • Oehms.
    • OC556.
  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Ouverture in D: Pour le Rosignol

    Performers: Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz (directing from the violin)

    • Carus.
    • 83308.
  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Canzon a 3, K.329: IV 鈥 "Libertino"

    Performers: Clemencic Consort, Rene Clemencic (director)

    • Oehms.
    • OC556.
  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Ave Maria, K.151

    Performers: Carlos Mena (alto), Armonico Tributo Austria, Lorenz Duftschmid (director)

    • CPO.
    • 999 8502.
  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Concerto "Le dolcezze e l'amerezze della notte"

    Performers: Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz (directing from the violin)

    • Carus.
    • 83308.
  • Johann Joseph Fux

    Alma Redemptoris Mater, K.186

    Performers: Armonico Tributo Austria, DomKantorei Graz, Boys of Graz Choir School, Lorenz Duftschmid (director)

    • CPO.
    • 999 8502.

Broadcast

  • Sun 20 Mar 2011 13:00

Podcast