A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Stich, Johann

by Carl Ferdinand Pohl

STICH, Johann Wenzel, known as Punto, eminent horn-player, born about 1755 in Bohemia. Was taught music and the French-horn by Matiegka and Hampel of Dresden, at the expense of Count Thun. On his return to the Count's household he considered himself ill-treated, took offence, and ran away with some of his comrades. To avoid recognition he Italianized his name to Punto, and travelled in Germany and France, settling for a time in Würzburg, Treves, Coblenz, Paris, etc., and attracting considerable attention. In Paris he made the acquaintance of Mozart, who composed for him a Sinfonie concertante for flute, oboe, horn, and bassoon, never played and now unfortunately lost. 'Punto plays magnificently' (bläst magnifique) writes Mozart to his father. In 1788 he was engaged by Mara (with Graff, Fischer, and Florio) for her concerts at the Pantheon, London (?). In Vienna, Beethoven composed his sonata for PF. and horn (op. 17) for him, and they played it together without rehearsal, at Punto's concert, April 18, 1800. It was received enthusiastically, and at once encored. After this Punto made another tour with Dussek, returned to Prague and gave a concert at the theatre there in 1801. He died after a long illness Feb. 16, 1803, and his epitaph runs

Omne tulit punctum Punto, cui Musa Bohema
Ut plausit vivo, sic morienti gemit.

His compositions were published in Paris by Sieber, Nadermann, Cochet, Imbault, Le Due, and Pleyel.

[ C. F. P. ]