Johann Joseph Fux (c. 1660 – 13 February 1741) was an Austrian composer, music theorist, and pedagogue of the late Baroque era. Born to a peasant family in Hirtenfeld, Styria, Fux's prodigious musical talent became evident early on, and he climbed the echelons of the music world to become one of the most influential composers of his time. His tenure as Hofkapellmeister to the Habsburg court in Vienna solidified his status, where he composed a vast array of church music, operas, and chamber works, contributing significantly to the court's cultural life.

Among his most enduring contributions to music is his treatise on counterpoint, "Gradus ad Parnassum" (1725), which has instructed generations of composers, including Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. This monumental work codified the contrapuntal practices of the Renaissance and outlined the stylistic transition into the Classical era. Although Fux's operas are less known today, his sacred music has gained more attention, as evidenced in live recordings of his "Kaiserrequiem" and other liturgical pieces. The sheer craftsmanship in his compositions showcases an artist steeped in tradition yet capable of originality and profound emotional depth.

Genres

Baroque

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Latest Release

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 - Bach, Handel, Monteverdi, Vivaldi

Nikolaus Harnoncourt•

Antonio Vivaldi•

Claudio Monteverdi•

Georg Philipp Telemann•

George Frideric Handel•

Henry Purcell•

Jean-Philippe Rameau•

Johann Joseph Fux•

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Joseph Haydn

Album - 105 Tracks - Released November 17, 2024