Description: | Wolfram Syre's fine uploads prompted me to take a look some smaller works by Krebs. THANK YOU, Wolfram!
Johann Ludwig Krebs (baptized 12 October 1713 – 1 February 1780) was a Baroque musician and composer primarily for the pipe organ. He was born in 1713 in Buttelstedt to Johann Tobias Krebs, a well-known organist. J. Tobias had at least three sons who were considered musically talented, and J. Ludwig was sent to Leipzig to study organ, lute, and the violin. He was privileged enough to be taught by Johann Sebastian Bach on the organ. Bach (who had also instructed J. Ludwig's father) held Krebs in high standing. From a technical standpoint, Krebs was unrivaled next to Bach in his organ proficiency. However, it was quite difficult for Krebs to obtain a patron or a post at any cathedral. This can be attributed to the fact that by this time the Baroque tradition was being left behind in favor of the new galant music style. This point in time also marked the transition to the classical music era, with composers such as Bach's son, C.P.E. Bach.
He took a small post in Zwickau, and later in 1755 (five years after the death of Bach, which is normally referred to as the end of the Baroque period) he was appointed court organist of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg under Prince Friedrich. Krebs was so desperate at the time that he did not work for money but instead for food to feed his family (including seven children). Despite never holding a significant post, never being a court composer, and never being commissioned for a work, Krebs was able to compose quite a significant collection of works, though few were published until the 1900s.
The prelude on "Jesu, meines Lebens Leben" is a flowing work with exquisite "accompanimental" figures in the left hand, with the chorale melody in the right, only slightly ornamented.
Speaking of ornaments, there are some "unusual" ones in this work, which I've tried to be true as indicated.
The score is attached below, as well as woodcut of Krebs. |