Composed: 1723
Premiered: 1723, Prague
Duration: 8 minutes
Czech composer Jan Dismas Zelenka was a contemporary of Telemann, Bach, and Handel, and after living and working in Prague for much of his early life, he moved to Dresden, Germany, after being appointed a bass player with the royal chapel. After a decade of expanding his talents and rounding into form as a composer, Zelenka was invited back to Prague to celebrate the coronation of Bohemia’s new royalty. This piece was composed and premiered during these festivities as a gift to the new king and queen.