DUSSEK, JOHANN LUDWIG, a celebrated musical composer and pianist, was born in 1761 at Czaslau in Bohemia. lie was the son of an organist, and his father early instructed him in the principles of his art, so that at the age of nine he was a skilful player on the piauofurte and a good accompanist on the organ. He received further instruction in music from Spenaz, a musician of considerable note in his native place, and for his general education he was sent to the University of Prague. He afterwards filled the office of organist at Melina' and at Bergen-np-Zoom. He then visited Amsterdam, where his playing on the pianoforte excited great attention, and where he made a somewhat prolonged stay. On quitting Holland he visited tise chief cities of Oermany, his reputation increasing as he proceeded. At Paris, where ho was in 1788, his playing was so much admired that the queen, Marie-Antoinette, endeavoured to induce him to establish himself there ; but alarmed at the threatening aspect of public affairs, he came to London in 1790, and hare as elsewhere ho immediately distinguished himself, and might have realised an ample fortune had his industry and discretion borne any proportion to his talents.
Unfortunately ho engaged in business, for which his habits were quite unfitted, and to escape from his creditors he iu 1800 quitted England, and two years after became part of the household, and also the intimate and confidential friend, of Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, who died so bravely at Saalfield iu 1806. Ile then entered into the service of Prince Talleyrand, in which he continued till his death in 1812. As a pianist, Dussek was in his day almost unrivalled. His style was large yet neat, and he was as effective in the most refined and delicate as he was in the grandest passages. His tone was exquisite, and his mechanical dexterity was remarkable. thwack composed seventy-six pieces—including symphonies, concertos, sonata, rondeaux, quintets, quartets, trios, variations, &e.—for the pianoforte ; also some oratorios, several pieces of church music, and two unsuc cessful operas. Amidst many that aro of little or no value, there are some of Dussek'a compositions for the piano that aro in every respect excellent.