Gayer [Gaier, Geyer], Johann Christoph (Karl)
- Milan Poštolka
Extract
(Karl)
(b ?1668; d Prague-Hradčany, Nov 16, 1734). Bohemian composer and choirmaster. He was an unpaid musician at Prague Cathedral, from about 1690, and from about 1701 to 1726 was choirmaster of the church of the Nativity in the Loreto at Hradčany. On 6 October 1705 he succeeded Wentzeli as capellae magister seu praefectus chori to the cathedral and held that post for nearly 30 years until his death (when he was succeeded by Görbig); by a careful choice of members he raised the standard of the ensemble. Besides his musical activities he was German registrar to the Prague court of appeal. His son Vojtěch (Adalbert) was viol player or cellist of the cathedral from 1727, and assisted as choirmaster during his father's final illness. By 1705 Gayer had begun to assemble a library of contemporary Italian sacred music and of his own compositions, and he enlarged it in ...
