After arriving in Prague in 1724, Jan Zach initiated studies with Bohuslav Cernohorsky and accepted several musical posts, including those as violinist at St. Gallus and at St. Martin and then those as organist at St. Martin, at the monastic church of the Merciful Brethren, and at the Minorite chapel of St. Ann. Following various travels, he was appointed Kapellmeister at the court of the Prince-Elector of Mainz. His compositions, many of which were rhythmically influenced by Czech dances, include masses, requiems, arias, Misereres, vespers, hymns, sinfonias, partitas, sonatas, preludes, fugues, and concertos. He also worked as a music teacher at the Jesuit school in Munich and spent the majority of his later years traveling throughout Europe. Zach's compositions are almost exclusively recorded under the Arte Nova label, especially his vocal and choral works. His Miserere in C minor and his Offertorium, Terra tremit in C were both recorded in the 1980s, while his Missa Solemnis in D and Stabat Mater in D minor were recorded in 1995 and 1997, respectively.

One of Zach's masses was performed at the coronation of the Emperor Franz I. He traveled for a brief period in Italy the influence of which appears in his music particularly the instrumental sinfonias and concertos which were set in three movements employing parallel sixths and thirds, Alberti bass, and occasionally heavy ornamentation. For various conflicts in personality Zach was dismissed in 1756. from then until the end of his life he traveled, performed, sold copies of his music and taught. The exceptional range in his music is probably indicative of his own complicated personality. Resulting musical compositions range from the melancholy to the vital. Zach wrote instrumental and sacred compositions which included characteristics of Czech dance rhythms, homophony, and polyphony. The "Requiem in C minor" employed considerable use of chromaticism. Zach's instrumental sinfonias and concertos were often scored for strings and wind instruments alike in which he set the works with the aforementioned Italian characteristics.

Source: AllMusic https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jan-zach-mn0001212795/b iography ).

Although originally composed for Pipe Organ, I created this Interpretation of the Prelude & Fugue in C Minor (KomZ A4) for Woodwind Quartet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet & Bassoon).

Download the sheet music here: https://musescore.com/user/13216/scores/5589233