Johannes Schmidlin

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Johannes Schmidlin (born May 22, 1722 in Zurich ; † November 16, 1772 in Wetzikon ) was a Swiss pastor , composer and choirmaster . He founded the Singgesellschaft Wetzikon in 1755 and is considered the pioneer of folk singing in Switzerland in the 18th century.

Schmidlin studied theology at the Collegium Carolinum and was a student of the composer Johann Caspar Bachofen . Following his example, he published his own collection of sacred songs in 1752 (including texts by Albrecht von Haller ), which was reissued several times. In 1754 he became pastor of the community of Wetzikon, where he initiated a music and singing tradition ( Wetziker School ), which spread as a popular movement throughout the German-speaking area until the middle of the 19th century . In 1755 Schmidlin founded a singing society, which at times had over 200 members, and is considered the world's first choral society of its kind. A Collegium musicum followed in 1768 .

In 1769 he published the Swiss songs with melodies (poems by Johann Caspar Lavater ), which are considered the first secular collection of Swiss songs. They became known nationwide in the polyphonic movements that his pupil Johann Heinrich Egli published in 1787. Further works include sacred a cappella songs, solo arias and small cantatas .

In 1772 Schmidlin died of a stroke at the age of 50 . His successor Hans Jakob Nägeli continued the singing company.

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personal data
SURNAME Schmidlin, Johannes
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Schmidli, Johannes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Swiss pastor and composer
DATE OF BIRTH May 22, 1722
PLACE OF BIRTH Zurich
DATE OF DEATH November 16, 1772
Place of death Wetzikon