Bach in LeipzigBach in Leipzig

Kantor of St. ThomasKantor of St. Thomas

June, 1722: Death of Johann June, 1722: Death of Johann Kuhnau, Kantor of St. Thomas, Kuhnau, Kantor of St. Thomas, LeipzigLeipzig

Georg Phillip Telemann consideredGeorg Phillip Telemann considered

Kantor of St. ThomasKantor of St. Thomas

Finalists: Bach Finalists: Bach and Christoph and Christoph GraupnerGraupner

Bach’s audition: Bach’s audition: Cantatas BWV Cantatas BWV 22 and 2322 and 23

Bach gets the jobBach gets the job

““Since the best (candidate) could Since the best (candidate) could not be obtained, a mediocre one not be obtained, a mediocre one would have to be accepted.”would have to be accepted.”

LeipzigLeipzig

Leipzig disputation, 1519Leipzig disputation, 1519

Georg Rhau 1488-1548

Leipzig: A University Leipzig: A University towntown

Bach as Kantor of St. Bach as Kantor of St. ThomasThomas

Oversee 4 churchesOversee 4 churches School dutiesSchool duties

Bach’s typical schedule at Bach’s typical schedule at St. Thomas SchoolSt. Thomas School

5 am / 6 am in winter5 am / 6 am in winter Wake upWake up5:15 / 6:155:15 / 6:15 All school Morning PrayerAll school Morning Prayer6:306:30 BreakfastBreakfast7-10 am7-10 am School Classes / composition or other School Classes / composition or other

work work

7-8 am Fridays7-8 am Fridays Prayer servicePrayer service11 am11 am Bach’sBach’s Lunch LunchNoon-1 pmNoon-1 pm Choir rehearsalChoir rehearsal1-3 pm1-3 pm School Classes / School Classes / private private

instruction, etc instruction, etc

6 pm6 pm DinnerDinner8 pm8 pm Evening PrayerEvening Prayer9 pm 9 pm Bedtime in dormitories Bedtime in dormitories

Choral activitiesChoral activities

Choirs I, II, III, IV (based on ability)Choirs I, II, III, IV (based on ability) Prefects direct lower-level choirsPrefects direct lower-level choirs Choirs I, II, III contain 36-48 singersChoirs I, II, III contain 36-48 singers Choir IV is the “chanting choir” at Choir IV is the “chanting choir” at

St. Peter’sSt. Peter’s Students reminded of their “duty Students reminded of their “duty

and office” as singersand office” as singers

Lutheran choralesLutheran chorales

Chorales are core Chorales are core of choral of choral repertoirerepertoire

Dresden Dresden GesangbuchGesangbuch (Dressdinische (Dressdinische Gesang-Buch), Gesang-Buch), 17251725

Connection with Connection with UniversityUniversity

St. Paul’s Church – the university St. Paul’s Church – the university churchchurch

Bach responsible for festival services Bach responsible for festival services and academic eventsand academic events

St. Paul’s altar

Collegium musicumCollegium musicum

““professional” community musiciansprofessional” community musicians Performed at Zimmerman’s Coffee Performed at Zimmerman’s Coffee

HouseHouse

Later yearsLater years

1747 performance in Potsdam1747 performance in Potsdam The Art of FugueThe Art of Fugue Eye trouble and operationsEye trouble and operations

Death: July 28, 1750Death: July 28, 1750

Cross motiveCross motive