LINEK, JÍŘÍ IGNÁC (1724-1791)

Jiří Ingnác Linek was born January 21, 1724 in Bakov Jizerou, Bohemia and died on December 30, 1791 at the same town in Bohemia of the Czech Republic. Linek is a typical and good example of a provincial eighteenth century Czech composer. He skillfully combined the rustic, tuneful, and energetic elements of Czech folk music with a solid understanding of the latest trends from the cities. He learned the rudiments of music in the Mladá Boleslav, an important provincial town for Czech music, from organist and composer Václav Červenka. Following the typical patterns of the time, he then went to Prague where he studied with eminent organist and composer Josef Seger, organist at the famous Tyn Church on the old town square. In1735 he attended the Piarist gymnasium at Kosmo neosytem where Jiří Antonín Benda was one of his fellow students. In 1743 Linek composed several fanfares for the coronation in Prague of Maria Theresa as Queen of Bohemia.

After returning to Bakov, he successfully applied for the position of choirmaster; on the reverse of his application, his employers noted his sound character as well as his abilities as an organist and singer. On August 3, 1751 he married Terézia Čapková from Jičín and together they had five children, one of whom died in childhood. In addition to his musical and administrative responsibilities, Linek was also an active member of the local literary fraternity and became its elder in 1759.