Anton Reicha

Anton Joseph Reicha (Rejcha) was a Czech-born, Bavarian-educated, later naturalized French composer and music theorist. A contemporary and lifelong friend of Beethoven, he is now best remembered for his substantial early contributions to the wind quintet literature and his role as teacher of pupils including Franz Liszt, Hector Berlioz and César Franck. He was also an accomplished theorist, and wrote several treatises on various aspects of composition. Some of his theoretical work dealt with experimental methods of composition, which he applied in a variety of works such as fugues and études for piano and string quartet.

26 February 1770

Born on the same birth day (26 February): Barbara Niven • Gabriel Obertan • James Goldsmith • Jaz Coleman • Mark Harper • Oh Seung-bum • P. J. Axelsson • Paul Dickson (American football) • Simon Maljevac • William Frawley • Émile Coué