Frantisek Kotzwara

František Kočvara, known later in England as Frantisek Kotzwara (1730 – September 2, 1791), was a Czech violist, virtuoso double bassist and composer. His death was one of the first recorded instances of death by erotic asphyxiation. Life and music Kotzwara was born in Prague, Bohemia, and was something of a nomad. He travelled around Europe and performed with various orchestras. His mature career was based in England, where his compositions were published from 1775 onwards. These include string quartets, serenades and string trios. In London he played in the Concerts of Antient Music, in the Handel Commemoration of 1791 and in the orchestra of the King’s Theatre. The only piece of his to have achieved renown is The Battle of Prague, a composition based on the 1757 Battle of Prague, in which the Kingdom of Prussia fought the Habsburg monarchy. The Battle of Prague was a popular piece of music during the late 18th and 19th centuries, with Mark Twain mentioning the piece in his books Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Tramp Abroad and Life on the Mississippi, W. M. Thackeray in Vanity Fair, and Thomas Hardy in A Pair of Blue Eyes. A similar piece, The Siege of Quebec, often attributed