The fact that music and its practice were an integral part of the life of the monastery is also evident in the care of the organ and can be well demonstrated by several important Strahov personalities. One of these is the Premonstratensian priest Jan Lohelius Öhlschlägel. He entered the history of Czech music as an important composer and organist. He was born in 1724 on the feast of St. New Year's Eve in the small village of Lahošt' u Duchcov, near the estate of Count Emanuel Filibert of Wallenstein. Thanks to his financial support, the talented boy was able to enrol in the Jesuit monastic gymnasium. Here Öhlschlägel became an organist.
After studying philosophy and theology, Öhlschlägel entered the Premonstratensian Order. Until his death in 1788, he served as regenschori at Strahov Monastery. He is also known as a composer, especially of church music. He composed almost 200 sacred compositions. He also purchased forty musical instruments for the Strahov choir at his own expense. He was thus able to better develop his musical talents and expand the possibilities of musical production. He raised funds through his own compositions and through copies of compositions by other composers.
He personally contributed to the repair and expansion of the Strahov organ, which later became one of the largest and best sounding organs in the whole country. The work on it lasted for fifteen years. Öhlschlägel tuned the pipes himself and also carried out carpentry and other work.
His music was popular and was heard in many church choirs. Although Öhlschlägel's work was overlooked for some time, for two decades now it has been rehabilitated by several choirs, such as the Prague ensemble Cantores Pragenses, the Benda Chamber Orchestra from Ústí nad Labem and the Brixi Chamber Ensemble from Teplice.
Ukázka Öhlschlägelova díla:
