Zelenka

Zelenka refers primarily to Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679 – 1745), a Czech Baroque composer and musician. He is considered one of the most important Bohemian composers of the Baroque era, though his works were largely forgotten until the 20th century.

Zelenka was born in Louňovice pod Blaníkem, Bohemia. He spent most of his professional life in Dresden, Germany, serving as a double bass player and later as a church composer in the Catholic Hofkirche. His musical output is extensive and includes sacred works (masses, oratorios, requiems, psalms, litanies), instrumental compositions (sonatas, orchestral suites, concertos), and dramatic works (melodramas).

Zelenka's style is characterized by its complex counterpoint, chromatic harmonies, and dramatic intensity. He was known for his innovative use of dissonance and his ability to create powerful and moving musical experiences. Although he worked in a court influenced by Italian and French styles, his music retains a distinctly Central European character.

Key works by Zelenka include the Missa Votiva, the Miserere in C minor, and the Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae. His compositions are now frequently performed and recorded, and he is recognized as a significant figure in the history of Baroque music.