Joseph-Hector Fiocco

Joseph-Hector Fiocco (20 January 1703 – 21 June 1741), born in Brussels, was a Belgian composer and violinist of the late Baroque period.

His father, the Italian composer Pietro Antonio Fiocco, and one his older brothers (he had no fewer than 15 siblings, including the composer and choirmaster Jean-Joseph) were responsible for his musical education. Joseph-Hector also learned Greek and Latin well enough to be able to become a schoolteacher in both those subjects.

At the cathedral of Antwerp (1732-37) he was in charge of the music for the services. In 1737 he returned to Brussels and worked in the Church of St. Gudule. He died in Brussels when only 38 years old.

Some of his most famous works are Lamentations Du Jeudi Saint, a Missa solemnis and Pièces de Clavecin. His two suites for harpsichord were dedicated to the Duke of Arenberg, and they incorporate French and Italian styles. The first suite begins in the style of Couperin and ends with four Italian-style movements: adagio, allegro, andante and vivace. He is also known to Suzuki violin students for his Allegro, which is part of the Book 6 Suzuki violin repertoire. This piece has also been arranged for string quartet, and is often played at weddings. He wrote many religious vocal works, including motets and masses.

Sources

• Stellfeld, Christiane. Les Fiocco, une famille de musiciens belges aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles. Imprint [Brussels, Palace of Academies, 1941] Description 172 p., 3 l. illus. (incl. ports., facsims., music) 29 cm [1]

External links

• Free scores by Joseph-Hector Fiocco at the International Music Score Library Project