Proksch, Josef

1794-1864

Bohemian piano teacher, composer and writer. Born at Reichenberg. Died at Prague. Though he was blind from youth he studied the piano with Kozeluch and with Logier at Berlin. In 1830 he established the Musikbildungsanstalt, his excellent musical school at Prague. After his death it was continued by his son Theodor (1843-1876) and his daughter Marie. Bendel, Kuhe, Smetana, Madame Szarvady and Madame AusptizKolar were pupils of this institute. Josef Proksch is the author of several volumes, including Versuch einer rationellen Lehrmethode im Pianofortespiel; Allgemeine Musiklehre; Aphorismen tiber katholische Kirchenmusik. His compositions include cantatas; sacred songs; masses; sonatas; a concerto for three pianos; and transcriptions of orchestral classics for four to eight pianos.