Josef Neruda

Josef Neruda

Josef Neruda (16 January 1807, Mohelno – 18 February 1875, Brno) was a Moravian organist and music teacher.

Life

Josef Neruda learned basics of organ playing in Rajhrad monastery. In his youth, he was a teacher assistant in Náměšť nad Oslavou, besides his job he played in Haugwitz chapel and he also taught piano in Olomouc. In 1832, he accepted an offer of vacant position of minister organist in Brno. He kept this position except short breaks for 36 years.

Family

Josef Neruda had ten children and all of them were very talented. For example, his daughter Amálie Neruda (married Wickenhauser, 1834–1890), talented pianist, one of her piano students was Leoš Janáček. Wilma Neruda was a gifted violinist and a group of her supporters including Prince of Wales, later King Eduard VII, donated her a palazzo in Asolo, near Venice. From his sons, excelled especially cellist Franz Xaver Neruda, who later became professor at the conservatories in Saint Petersburg and Copenhagen.