From G.F. Kauffmann to J.S. Bach (I)

Outside a small circle of specialists, Georg Friedrich Kauffmann (1679-1735) is now generally known only as a candidate for the vacant post of cantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig in 1722-1723 – an important episode in music history, though one that ended unhappily for Kauffmann himself. After being given the opportunity to present one of his vocal compositions, Kauffmann reached the final round of selection; in April 1723, however, the choice ultimately fell to Johann Sebastian Bach.

Today Kauffmann is chiefly significant as the author of the chorale collection Harmonische Seelenlust, the subject of this two-part article. The first part provides the historical context, a biography of Kauffmann, an overview of the Harmonische Seelenlust and its editions, and an investigation of the organ in Merseburg Cathedral. The second part, devoted to analysis, will discuss the preface, the Passaggio chorales and the registrations in relation to Bach’s practice; it will appear in the next issue of Het Orgel.^[i]

[i] This article forms part of the research project of HEMU Haute École de Musique Vaud Valais Fribourg – HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland – IRMAS Institute for Research in Music and the Performing Arts, entitled: ‘From Kauffmann to Bach: G. F. Kauffmann’s Harmonische Seelenlust as a reference point and interpretative key to the organ music of J. S. Bach’s Leipzig period’. [https://www.hemu.ch/recherche/ktb]. The article was jointly written by Maurizio Croci and Pieter van Dijk. The biographical and editorial sections were developed chiefly by Maurizio Croci, while Pieter van Dijk wrote the organological analysis.