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F. Ad. Míča: Concertino notturno (Mo...

Biography

A talented composer and virtuoso on several instruments, Frantisek Adam Mica was very highly regarded in his own lifetime, but is now almost completely forgotten. He was the nephew of the well-known composer Frantisek Vaclav Mica, the kapellmeister of the Questenberg court at Jaromerice in Moravia. At Jaromerice, F.A. Mica worked as a valet and member of the orchestra. He later moved to Vienna with his father, where he studied law. Upon completion of his studies in 1767 he took a position as a government official in the Austrian capital, where he also performed with the imperial orchestra. His official position took him to various places around Austria and Poland, including Graz, Bruck an der Mur, Krakow, Kilece, and even to L'viv in the Ukraine where, during a Polish invasion, he was arrested by Polish troops and imprisoned in Lublin for six months. Although he suffered greatly during the war years, he returned to his career and eventually retired after 42 years of service. In Vienna, Mozart, who became a good friend of the Moravian composer, held Mica in high esteem, as did the Emperor. Such was the quality of Mica's writing that one of his symphonies was erroneously published as being composed by Haydn in 1772. Mica also composed several successful stage works for Vienna, several of which were also performed in Prague and L'viv. Mica's style is typical of the classical style championed byHaydn, though his love for tuneful and folk-like melodic ideas betray his youthful experience in the Moravian provinces. Also apparent in his chamber music is the typical Czech penchant for colorful instrumental combinations, included a sextet for flute, oboe, and string quartet and a divertimento for piano, two oboes, two horns, and string quintet. Most of his output languishes, undeservingly forgotten, are in manuscripts in Austrian and Czech archives.