Anton Joseph Reicha (1770 – 1836) was born in Prague in 1770 and studied the flute. He became a member of The Electoral Orchestra in Bonn, on the recommendation of his uncle Joseph. While in Bonn, he met Beethoven and his later career in Paris (from 1808) brought him into contact with many composers. He was Professor of Counterpoint and Fugue and taught Berlioz, Franck, Gounod and Liszt.

Reicha’s deep understanding of polyphony and orchestration can be felt in his compositions which range from Opera to Song. He is best known for his works for wind instruments and did much to establish the wind quintet as a popular and respected form of chamber music. Reicha wrote two works for bassoon and string quartet, the Grand Quintetto of 1826 and the Variations pour le Basson.