Václav Vodička

Wenceslaus Wodiczka, also known as Václav Vodička (c. 1715-1774), was a Bohemian composer who worked at the courts of the Bavarian Prince-Electors Karl Albrecht and Maximilian III Joseph.

Life Born into feudal bondage, he was claimed to have purchased his freedom from the Count von Wieznik with a team of horses. In 1732 he began his service at the court of Bavaria, initially as a violinist. In 1746 he married the soprano Maria Johann Brentani (c. 1715 - 1781); their daughter Walburga (b. 1749) became a professional singer at the court opera. In 1747 Wodiczka was appointed Konzertmeister and also a state councillor. He was active as a teacher and composer, and was acquainted with the Mozart family. He died in Munich in 1774, where he was buried on 1 July.

Works Wodiczka published his op. 1, a set of six violin sonatas, in Paris in 1739. He wrote 48 symphonies for the court church in Munich, of which 24 are lost. He also wrote a violin method, published in Amsterdam in 1757.