VOLCKMAR, Theophil Andreas (c.1684-1768) - Sonata Prima in C

Theophil Andreas Volckmar (c.1684-1768) - Sonata Prima in C

Performers: Cappella Gedanensis

Painting: Bartolomeo Bettera (1639-1688) - A vanitas still life with musical instruments, musical notebooks, an armillary sphere, fruit and flowers on a stone ledge before a damask curtain

Further info: Music Treasures of Old Gdansk

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Theophil (Theophile) Andreas (André) Volckmar

(Stettin, c.1684 - Stettin, June 1768)

German organist and composer. Son of the organist Johann Arnold Volckmar, in 1707, he succeeded his father as organist at the Peter-und-Paul church in Stettin. In 1712, he moved to Danzig (Gdańsk), where he first worked at the Trinity church and, from 1717, at St. Catherine's church. In Danzig, he was considered a modern and virtuosic organ player. However, Volckmar's modern style was not well-received by the Danzig pastors, resulting in his unsuccessful applications for the organist position at St. Mary's church. In 1730, he left Danzig and moved to St. Mary's church in Köslin. In 1733, he returned to Stettin to take up the organist position at St. Nicholas' church. In 1746, he finally was appointed organist at Stettin's largest church, St. James' church, in a post he held until 1767.