Personendetails

Josef Krejčí

Krejčí, Josef (1821-1881). Czech pedagogue, organist, composer and conductor. Studied at the Prague Organ School. His teachers included both Vitásek and Proksch. Krejčí established a formidable local reputation as an organist and church musician, holding appointments at several important Prague churches. Up until 1854 he held the post of choir director at the Church of St James [Sv Jakub], then according to Tagesbote fur Böhmen 8/9/1854, Mercy’s Anzeiger 10/9/1854 and Lumír 9/9/1854 was appointed as director of the choir at St Francis Church [Kreuzherrnkirche]. The Lumír source reported ‘Outstanding composer and Czech writer about musical theory and director of the choir at St James, Mr Josef Krejčí, has now become director of music in the church of St Francis of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star on Prague bridge.’ From 1858-1865 Director of the Prague Organ School, and from 1865-1881 of the Conservatory. He was active in helping to produce the first, albeit shortlived, music journal in the Czech language, Caecilie (1848). Krejčí was also active as a composer, his sacred music in particular regularly being performed in Prague churches during his lifetime, albeit generally under his own directorship.

Tagesbote aus Böhmen 13/1/1857 reported that ‘The choir director Mr Krejčí is composing and oratorio with the title „Labirint světa“ [The Labyrinth of the World], to which Mr Wenzig has written the text after the great Bohemia teacher Amos Komenius.’ Tagesbote aus Böhmen 13/3/1857 reported upon Krejčí arranging Mass performances in the St Francis Church during the Lenten season, which regularly featured works by native composers. This demonstrated at that time Krejčí’s partisanship to and support of native music.

Events in which this person participated as a director of ensemble

Events in which this person participated as a director of institute