Georg Christian Schemelli

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Title page of the musical song book

Georg Christian Schemelli (* 1676/1678/1680 in Herzberg ; † March 5, 1762 in Zeitz ) was a German cantor and author of a hymn book, on which Johann Sebastian Bach also worked.

Life

Schemelli was a student at the St. Thomas School in Leipzig from 1695 to 1700 . In 1707 he took up the position of cantor in Treuenbrietzen . In 1727 he became court choirmaster in Zeitz , a position he held until his retirement in 1758. His son Christian Friedrich became his successor.

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Schemelli's only known publication is the Musicalische Gesang-Buch , which appeared in Leipzig in 1736 and is known to this day thanks to Bach's collaboration. It contains 954 sacred songs, of which only 69 have notes. Only the melody and a figured bass part were noted throughout . The texts are in the tradition of Pietism and were probably intended for the musical accompaniment of house devotions. In many cases the songs have the character of simple arias rather than chorales .

Bach's involvement

Schemelli's contact with Bach came about through Schemelli's son Christian Friedrich, who was also a Thomas student from 1733 to 1735 and then studied at Leipzig University.

In the foreword to the musical book , the Zeitz castle preacher and monastery superintendent Friedrich Schulze wrote :

“The melodies in this musical hymn book are from Sr. Hochedl. Mr. Johann Sebastian Bach, Hochfürstl. Saxon. Capellmeister and director choir. Musici in Leipzig, partly composed completely new, partly also improved by him in the general bass, and was imprinted at the beginning of each song. "

It is unclear to what extent Bach was involved in the composition of the 69 songs. Although these are listed in the Bach Works Directory under the numbers 439 to 507, his authorship in more recent Bach research is only really secured for BWV 452, 478 and 505; Only forget my not, my dearest God (BWV 505) is marked with his name in the original print . With the others, the figured bass , and in many cases also interventions in the melody, are likely to come from his hand.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Short biography Christian Friedrich Schemelli (English)
  2. ↑ End of the preface
  3. ↑ Don't forget mine
personal data
SURNAME Schemelli, Georg Christian
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German cantor and author of a hymn book, on which Johann Sebastian Bach also worked
DATE OF BIRTH 1676 or 1678 or 1680
PLACE OF BIRTH Herzberg
DATE OF DEATH March 5, 1762
Place of death Time