Fux, Johann Joseph (1660–1741)

Austrian composer and theorist. His rules of counterpoint, compiled in his Gradus ad Parnassum (1725), were studied by Haydn and Beethoven, and are still used as a teaching formula by many music schools. He wrote a considerable quantity of sacred music, including 50 masses and 10 oratorios.

Fux was organist to the Schottenkirche in Vienna 1696–1702, became court composer in 1698, second Kapellmeister at St Stephen's Cathedral in 1705 and first in 1712, vice-Kapellmeister to the court in 1713, and Kapellmeister in 1715.

Works 18 operas, including Costanza e fortezza (1723); 11 oratorios including Gesù Cristo negato da Pietro (1719); around 80 Masses and quantities of other church music; 38 trio sonatas; partitas and other pieces for orchestra; keyboard music.