Jakub Jan Ryba (1765-1815) was a provincial music teacher. He wrote more than 1,100 works of varying length and form, including approximately thirty masses. The most famous of these is his Czech Christmas Mass from 1796 which, thanks to its joyful mood, has become an integral part of the Czech Christmas festivities. The piece is published in a piano reduction by Josef Hercl suitable for rehearsal and practice without orchestra; Ryba's Christmas Mass can thus also be performed less formally by amateur associations or at home.
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