Christoph Nichelmann

Full biography Christoph Nichelmann

Christoph Nichelmann (1717-1762) was a German composer and harpsichordist who was known for his keyboard music and songs. He was a pupil of Johann Sebastian Bach and later worked as the second keyboard player in the Royal Ensemble of Prussia. He wrote most of his smaller keyboard pieces and songs during his later years in Berlin , which were difficult due to the political upheavals of the time.

Nichelmann is considered an important figure in the early development of the keyboard concerto, and his works for the instrument are notable for their virtuosity and technical demands. Despite his contributions to the genre, his music was largely forgotten after his death and was only rediscovered in the latter half of the 20th century.

Several of Nichelmann's works have been recorded and released on CDs, including his harpsichord concertos. He is also noteworthy for his collaborations with other composers of the time, such as Johann Gottfried Mthel and Johann Philipp Kirnberger. While Nichelmann may not be a household name, his contributions to the development of keyboard music continue to be appreciated and studied by musicologists and performers alike today.