Wolfgang Hofmann (Cantor)

Wolfgang Hofmann (1988)

Hans Wolfgang Hofmann (born May 8, 1928 in Kirchberg , Saxony , † May 19, 2019 in Leipzig ) was a German cantor , organist and composer . He was the 13th cantor and organist after Johann Sebastian Bach from 1959 to 1993 at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig .

Life

Hofmann was born as the second child of the musician Hans Hofmann and his wife Martha Anna Heyer. His grandfather was Friedrich Hermann Hofmann , municipal music director and music publisher, lithographer owner and composer of numerous folk music. Wolfgang Hofmann was married to Brigitte Ziesenis until her death in July 2014 . He was the father of two daughters.

Act

In 1948 Wolfgang Hofmann studied church music in Leipzig with Johannes Piersig and at times at the Dresden church music school . In 1953 he became cantor and organist at the Emmauskirche in Leipzig. In 1959 he was appointed to the office of Nikolai Cantor in Leipzig, where he gave organ concerts and, as director of the St. Nikolai Leipzig Choir (now the Leipzig Bach Choir ), was particularly concerned with a cappella choir work. In 1977 Hofmann was appointed church music director and specialist advisor for church music matters in the Leipzig-West church district. He was a lecturer for liturgical singing at the theological faculty of the University of Leipzig and a member of various commissions. Hofmann went on organ concert tours and made guest conductors in the United States . He was the creator of numerous compositions.

Works and arrangements

European Christmas carols

(Song motets)

When the world was lost
Up, now, you shepherds
Away in a manger
Entre le bœuf et l'âne gris
Rejoice, earth and starry tent
The angel hears bright songs
Come, you shepherds, you men and women
Now let us come, dear Lord Christ
O Bethlehem, you little town
Our Savior is born

Christmas choral music

In the middle of the night
Very tender
Dear nightingale, wake up
And our dear women
Quiet, quiet, who wants to know God
Silent Night Holy Night

Spiritual folk songs

(Song motets)

Up, up, you wanderers
the moon has risen
The best time of the year is mine
The golden sun, full of joy and delight
Heaven, light and blue
No beautiful country at this time
Do you know how many stars there are
Whom God will prove right favor
Who really wants to wander in joy
How lovely is May

Christmas wind music

(For trumpets, trombones, timpani, organ and choir)

Open the door
Daughter of Zion rejoice
Come here, O you believers
O you happy

Proverbs from the prophet Micah

(Three motets for four parts a-cappella)

You have been told, human, what is good
Where is such a god as you are
And you, Bethlehem Ephrata

The people who walk in the dark (motet with three to five voices a-cappella)

The prophecy of the Christ birth through Isaiah

The 70th Psalm - Hurry, God to save me (motet for mixed choir of five voices a-cappella)

My soul, o Lord, must praise you (motet with three to six voices a-cappella)

My soul lifts up the Lord
The hymn of praise of Mary (Magnificat according to EG 308)

Song motets I

(Two to five voices based on chorals from the EC and "Singt von Hope", New Songs for the Congregation)

Sing happily in Advent
Do you remember how it happened?
Hear the song of the dark night
The beautiful Easter day
Delicate with pleasure
Come, God Creator, Holy Spirit
God keep us, God keep us
Come with gifts and hymns
Come on Lord bless us
God thank you for the time of my life

Song motets II

10 Come on, you morning star
11 Come and let us honor Christ
12 What God does is done well

Mass chants

(Motets for mixed choir of six voices)

Sanctus - Osanna - Benedictus
Agnus Dei - Dona nobis pacem

Published by Lawson-Gould, New York

52316 Welcome the Lord, Jesus Christ
52082 Our Savior is born

Web links

Individual evidence

^ Obituary notice , Leipziger Volkszeitung , May 25, 2019.
↑ Music in the Nikolaikirche . In: Nikolaikirche-Leipzig.de , accessed on April 28, 2013.

personal data
SURNAME	Hofmann, Wolfgang
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Hofmann, Hans Wolfgang (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	German cantor, organist and composer
DATE OF BIRTH	May 8, 1928
PLACE OF BIRTH	Kirchberg , Saxony
DATE OF DEATH	19th May 2019
Place of death	Leipzig

[1] Obituary notice , Leipziger Volkszeitung , May 25, 2019.

[2] Music in the Nikolaikirche . In: Nikolaikirche-Leipzig.de , accessed on April 28, 2013.