Bohuslav Matej Cernohorský

Bohuslav Matej Cernohorský

Source: Sheet Music DB

Christened on 16 February 1684 in Nymburk, Bohemia (now in the Czech Republic), Bohuslav Matěj Černohorský was a baroque composer of largely sacred music like motets and other choral works. He also composed numerous fugues and toccates for organ. Well to set the climate of Černohorský's Bohemia with the earlier Thirty Years War which had hit Prague especially hard, devastation of which held all things Czech including music decades behind the rest of Europe before Cernohorský arrived on the scene. Prague had lost an estimated two thirds of its population as a result of this war, concerning which the Peace of Westphalia found Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III moving his court to Vienna with a large portion of Prague's population following him. Thus emptied, redevelopment required decades. Cernohorský wasn't a major composer in comparison to his contemporaries in the rest of Europe, though at once a major Czech composer as Prague was beginning to prosper again. He joins Zelenka at the vanguard of a long list of Bohemian composers that would altogether rival the rest of Europe's. As well, though Catholic influence was heavy in baroque, such as in Vienna or Venice, Cernohorský helped raised the ante of Catholic involvement versus Protestant Germany (J.S. Bach, et al).

From 1700 to 1702 Cernohorský studied philosophy in Prague, then became a Franciscan in 1704, a priest in 1708. The Franciscans were established in 1209 by Italian Catholic friar, Francis of Assisi. If you ever run up against a rough gang claiming to be Franciscans, only politely ask them to prove it by telling you which Order they are from, which would be the Order of Friars Minor, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (Capuchins), Conventual Franciscans (aka minorites or grayfriars due the color of their habit) or Third Order Regular of Saint Francis. If they answer correctly they will like you and leave you alone. If they are wrong then correct them gently, though firmly, and they will leave you alone.

Several versions of Wikipedia have Cernohorský composing his 'Vesperae minus solenne' (Vespers less solemn') no later than 1710 (about age 26), which sources elude me along with any confirmation elsewhere. But, like Cernohorský, why grow sober now, so I'll take their word for it. Text for this work is from a paraphrase of Psalm 113 titled 'Laudate peuri'.

'Vesperae minus solenne'   Setting for Psalm 113 by Černohorský

No later than 1710 in Prague

The Hipocondria Ensemble / Jan Hadek w the Societas Incognitorum / Eduard Tomastik

In 1710 Cernohorský was banned from Czech domains for traveling to Rome, invited by the Franciscan order there, without Franciscan consent in Prague. In 1712 he was in Assisi as an organist at the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, also studying counterpoint with Giuseppe Tartini. It is there that he composed his earliest dated works beginning with 'Regina coeli' for Easter of 1712, a Marian antiphon for double choir, organ and continuo. This may have been an assignment fulfilled toward for a second bachelor's degree from the university in Prague.

'Regina coeli'   Setting for Easter by Černohorský

Composed for double choir a 8   1712 in Assisi

The Hipocondria Ensemble / Jan Hadek w the Societas Incognitorum / Eduard Tomastik

Once it was legal for Cernohorský to be in Prague he there returned in 1720 and taught music, Josef Seger and František Tůma among his pupils. During this time he may or may not have composed his 'Litaniae Lauretanae' commemorating the Catholic victory at the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. In 1729 his only published work, an offertory fugue titled 'Laudetur Jesus Christus' ('Jesus Christ be praised'), saw print in Prague.

'Litany of Lauretanae'   Černohorský

No earlier than 1720 in Prague

Commemorating Roman Catholic victory at the Battle of White Mountain in 1620

The Hipocondria Ensemble / Jan Hadek w the Societas Incognitorum / Eduard Tomastik

'Laudetur Jesus Christus'   Offertory motet by Černohorský

Published 1729   Score

Composed for SATB / violin / viola / trombe / organ

Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno / Jan Svejkovský / St. Nicholas Music Festival 2020

Cernohorský was banned from Prague yet again upon dispute with the Friars Minor (Franciscans) in 1731, this time because he denied them his family inheritance. This found Cernohorský in Horažďovice in southern Bohemia where he is thought to have composed his offertory fugues, 'Quare Domine, irasceris' and 'Quem lapidaverunt', the latter perhaps incomplete.

'Quare Domine, irasceris'   Offertory motet by Černohorský

'Why, Lord, are you angry'

C 1731 in Horažďovice, Bohemia

The Hipocondria Ensemble / Jan Hadek w the Societas Incognitorum / Eduard Tomastik

'Quem lapidaverunt'   Offertory motet by Černohorský

'He who was stoned by the Jews' (St. Stephen)

C 1731 in Horažďovice, Bohemia

The Hipocondria Ensemble / Jan Hadek w the Societas Incognitorum / Eduard Tomastik

Černohorský next left Horažďovice to return to Italy where he was employed as an organist in Padua. Ten years later he was moved to return to Prague, but died along the way in Graz, Austria, on 1 July 1742. I conclude this presentation with works with quantum dates too foggy for me to identify even closely. 'Toccata in C major' and 'Fugue in D major' were published in 'Varhanni Skladby' ('Organ Works') in 1949 as Volume 3 of 'Musica Antiqua Bohemica' which is where the MAB numbers MAB 3.1-MAB 3.8 are derived. These numbers were assigned by Vladimir Helfert who began the 'Musica Antiqua Bohemica' with Volume 1 in 1934. Covering numerous Bohemian composers, the 'MAB' had been published by various houses until 2003. As for 'Fugue in F major', it is not in 'Varhanni Skladby' and another piece which date of composition is unknown.

'Fugue in F major'   Piece for organ by Černohorský

Organ: Jaroslav Vodrážka

'Toccata in C major'   MAB 3.6   Piece for organ by Černohorský

Published in 'Varhanni Skladby' ('Organ Works') in 1949

Organ: Jiřina Pokorná

'Fugue in D major'   MAB 3.8   Piece for organ by Černohorský

Published in 'Varhanni Skladby' ('Organ Works') in 1949

Organ: Neva Krysteva   Bulgaria Concert Hall in Sofia

'Precatus Est Moyzes' ('Moses Prayed') was written for Pentecosts XII and XVIII [text]. Orlando di Lasso had published his version, 'Precatus Est Moyses', quite some time earlier in 1585 followed by Palestrina 1593.

'Precatus Est Moyzes'   Offertory motet by Černohorský

Composed for SATB  / strings / 3 trumpets / basso continuo

Brixiho Chamber Ensemble / Marek Müller