Johann Christoph Altnikol (1720-1759)
- Cantata 'Frohlocket und jauchzet in prächtigen'
Performers: Barbаra Schlіck (soprano); Hеіn Mееns (tenor); Hаrry van der Kаmp (bass);
Rhеinischе Kantorei; Das Klеinе Konzert; Hermаnn Mаx
Further info: Johann Christoph Altnikol (1720-1759) - Missa in d
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German organist and composer. He attended the Lauban Lyceum in 1733, and
was a singer and assistant organist at St Maria Magdalena, Breslau,
from about 1740 until the beginning of 1744. He then wished to return to
Germany and devote himself to ‘higher studies’ at Leipzig, and as his
parents were poor, he asked for a viaticum. He was granted four thalers
on 23 January 1744, and on 19 March he matriculated at Leipzig
University as a theological student. He soon began to assist Bach,
chiefly as a bass, and did so regularly from Michaelmas 1745. In taking
on a university student Bach exceeded his authority, but he was always
short of basses, for the boys of the Thomasschule often left before
their voices had settled. On 16 April 1746 W.F. Bach recommended
Altnickol as his successor at Dresden, saying that he had studied the
keyboard and composition with his father; but he was disregarded. On 26
April 1747 Altnickol applied to the Leipzig Council for a grant, saying
that he had been singing bass for three years. Burgomaster Stieglitz
seized the opportunity to say that the Kantor had no business to make
such appointments; but the council agreed to pay 12 thalers (19 May),
given proof that Altnickol had actually done the work. Bach certified on
25 May 1747 that Altnickol had worked continuously from Michaelmas
1745. On 8 November 1747 a vacancy for an organist and schoolmaster
arose at Niederwiesa (near Greiffenberg, Silesia); on 3 December the son
of some local worthy drafted a letter inviting Altnickol to apply. The
draft went to another local worthy for approval (no names are given)
with a covering letter stating that the writer had known Altnickol at
Lauban and Leipzig, and that he was a peaceable and upright man, no
great theologian, but a good bass, violinist and organist, who
understood composition and had endeared himself to Herr Bach.
Subsequent events show that he had also endeared himself to Fräulein
Bach. On 1 January 1748 Bach testified that Altnickol was a pupil of
whom he need not be ashamed; on 18 January Altnickol was appointed, and
he gave satisfaction. He is said to have been a fine organist. A post at
St Wenzel, Naumburg, fell vacant in the summer, and on 24 July 1748
Bach recommended Altnickol to the council, who unanimously appointed him
on 30 July, before they had even received his formal application. There
is a story that the council preferred Bach’s candidate to Johann
Friedrich Gräbner, who was being put forward by the all-powerful Count
Brühl; by rushing the matter, they were able to say that the Count’s
recommendation came too late. Gräbner nevertheless became Altnickol’s
successor in 1759. Altnickol moved in at mid-September, and married
Bach’s daughter Elisabeth Juliana Friderica on 20 January 1749. He
invited the Naumburg Council to the wedding, thus securing a present of
six thalers. A son, Johann Sebastian, was born on 4 October, but was
buried on 21 October. On 24 November Altnickol’s father died, and a few
months later Bach fell seriously ill. According to Forkel, it was to
Altnickol that Bach dictated his last chorale prelude (though the
familiar manuscript fragment is not in Altnickol’s hand). After Bach’s
death, Altnickol exercised the function of a trustee, with
responsibility for distributing his estate. He took Bach's mentally
handicapped son Gottfried Heinrich with him to Naumburg, where he also
taught J.G. Müthel, Bach’s pupil, until 1751. At the end of 1753 he,
like W.F. Bach, competed unsuccessfully for an appointment at the
Johanniskirche, Zittau; and in 1757 he taught the trumpeter J. Ernst
Altenburg. In Naumburg Altnickol directed performances of a pasticcio
Passion cantata with music by C.H. Graun, Bach and Telemann and of a
presumably early version of Bach's St Matthew Passion.
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