Johann Kirnberger

Johann Kirnberger, born on April 24, 1721, was a distinguished composer, musicologist, conductor, and music theorist. His early musical education included studying the organ under Johann Peter Kellner and Heinrich Nicolaus Gerber, and he further honed his skills with the violinist Meil in Sondershausen. However, the most pivotal period of his training occurred between 1739 and 1741, when he studied performance and composition with the legendary Johann Sebastian Bach.

From 1741 to 1751, Kirnberger resided in Poland, where he served powerful magnates such as Lubomirski, Poninski, and Rzewuski. His time in Poland was marked by a significant contribution to the cultural exchange between Germany and Poland, as he collected Polish national dances and compiled them in his treatise, Die Charaktere der Tänze. This work not only showcased his musical prowess but also highlighted the rich cultural tapestry of the region.

In 1751, Kirnberger became a violinist at the court of Frederick the Great and later served as the music director to Prussian Princess Anna Amalia from 1758 until his death. His admiration for Johann Sebastian Bach was profound; he regarded Bach as the greatest of all composers and worked tirelessly to secure the publication of Bach's chorale settings, which were released posthumously. Kirnberger's library, known as the Kirnberger collection, preserved many of Bach's manuscripts.

Today, Kirnberger is celebrated for his theoretical contributions, particularly his influential work, Die Kunst des reinen Satzes in der Musik, published in 1774 and 1779. He is also associated with the well-tempered tuning systems known as 'Kirnberger II' and 'Kirnberger III,' as well as a rational version of equal temperament. Among his notable compositions is the Fuga in C-dur für Orgel, often misattributed to Bach and his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.