"Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit"

Johann Nicolaus Hanff (Born Wechmar, Thuringia, 1665; Died Schleswig, winter 1711–12). German composer and organist.

Mattheson reported that for four years from the age of seven, in 1688, he studied keyboard performance and composition with Hanff in Hamburg.

Before 1696 Hanff was appointed court organist to the Prince-Bishop of Lübeck at his residence at Eutin. When the court at Eutin was dissolved after the death of Bishop August Friedrich in 1705, he apparently returned to Hamburg; at least two of his sons were born there during the next few years, in 1706 and 1711 respectively (Mattheson was godfather on the latter occasion).

Hanff was promised the post of cathedral organist at Schleswig, but the position did not become vacant until 1711; he took over the position on 26 August 1711 but died a few months later.

Of his compositions only three church cantatas and six organ chorale preludes survive. The cantatas are good examples of those that follow north German models, with a typical reliance on contrasting performing groups (e.g. chorus–soloist–chorus) as well as on sections in different tempos.

The chorale preludes, which exist in copies made by J.G. Walther, are generally in the style developed by Buxtehude with the chorale melodies expressively ornamented in the upper keyboard part.

Another fine and original recording of this piece by Marco 't Hart can be found here:

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/15640