Johann Ludwig Krebs

Synopsis

German organist and composer

• 12 Oct 1713: Krebs was baptized in Buttelstedt, Weimar, Germany
• 1726-1735 Krebs was a student of Johann Sebastian Bach at Thomasschule, Leipzig. Krebs studied organ, singing, lute, and violin. He sang treble in the Thomasschule choir until at least 1730.
• 1735-1737 Krebs continued his studies at Leipzig University, while assisting J. S. Bach as a copyist, sometimes substituting for Bach on the organ at Thomaskirche, or playing the harpsichord with Bach's Collegium Musicum. Krebs was one of Bach's best and most famous pupils, and was highly praised by Bach himself. Some works attributed to Bach but written in Krebs' hand still create attribution problems for scholars.
• 1737-1744 Krebs accepted a position as organist of the Marienkirche in Zwickau, where he met and married Johanna Sophie Nackens, and where the first of his children was born. The position was ill-paying and the organ badly maintained.
• 1744-1755 Krebs moved to Zeits to become organist of the castle there. He applied for J. S. Bach's position in Leipzig following Bach's death in 1750, but was turned down. Six more of Krebs' children were born here.
• 1755-1780 Krebs became the organist of the castle in Altenberg, at the court of Prince Friedrich of Gotha-Altenburg. His salary was still small, but these were the happiest and most productive years of his life as a musician. He loved the organ at Altenberg and took pride in it. During this period Krebs wrote many pieces for organ and various solo instruments, which could be performed by musicians from the court orchestra. As an organ composer Krebs wrote excellent counterpoint, and was old-fashioned in his compositional style, although he did employ simpler and more classical harmonies interspersed with baroque contrapuntal techniques.
• 1 Jan 1780: Krebs died in Altenberg, Germany

For details, see the Wikipedia article on Johann Ludwig Krebs. Other useful links: Bach Cantatas website http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Krebs-Johann-Ludwig.htm Oxford music online http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/15499pg2?q=Johann+Ludwig+Krebs&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit Fantaisie in F minor for organ and oboe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ofll3_yIck Prelude and Fugue in D major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqkcEGzn8fA Prelude and Fugue in C major: http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.553924 Complete organ works, recorded by Beatrice-Maria Weinberger, available on Amazon with individual pieces on iTunes. An example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qfu9oeaE58

List of Organ Works

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Background and General Perspectives on Performing Krebs Organ Works

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Registration and Organs

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Fingering and Pedaling

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Articulation and Phrasing

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Ornamentation

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Tempo and Meter

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Scores and Editions

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Recordings

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Notes

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