Fuge J.L. Krebs

From the book "100 Postludien" from Hermann Kleemeyer is here a Fuge by Johann Ludwig Krebs.
Johann Ludwig Krebs was probably born between 10 and 12 October 1713 in Buttelstedt near Weimar. He was one of the three sons of Johann Tobias Krebs, who had been cantor and organist in Weimar since 1710. The young Krebs probably received music lessons from his father. After the death of his mother, Johann Ludwig left with his father to Buttstädt, where his father had been appointed as an organist.

In July 1726 Johann Ludwig Krebs became a student at the Thomasschule in Leipzig. Here he met Johann Sebastian Bach, who was cantor in Leipzig. For nine years Krebs was friends with Bach, he also received private organ from Bach and copied his music.

Besides organ, Krebs also played lute, harpsichord and violin. Around 1730 he also sang in a choir.

On August 24, 1735, Bach wrote a commendable certificate about Krebs. Krebs then studied philosophy for two years at the University of Leipzig. On 4 May 1737 Krebs became Domorganist at the Marienkerk in Zwickau.

After the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750 Krebs tried in vain to become the successor of Bach as cantor of the Thomas Church in Leipzig. He also failed to become an organist in the Johannis-Kirche in Zwickau.

On October 20, 1756, Krebs became organist at the court of Frederick III of Saxony-Gotha-Altenburg. He continued to hold this function until his death.

Johann Ludwig Krebs died on New Year's Eve 1780. He left behind seven children. His three sons also became three musicians.