Johann Balthasar Konig

Full biography Johann Balthasar Konig

Johann Balthasar Knig was a German Baroque composer born on January 28, 1691, near Gotha in the Duchy of Wrttemberg. He is best known for his compositions of hymn music and was a prolific composer of choruses, chorales, cantatas, oratorios, requiems, and instrumental music.

Knig's works were mainly written for the Lutheran Church, and he is particularly known for his contributions to the genre of chorale preludes. In addition to his church music, he also wrote secular instrumental music, including overtures and suites.

Knig spent most of his life in Frankfurt, where he served as the city's Director of Music. He died in 1758 at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy of music that continues to be performed and cherished to this day.

Several of Knig's compositions have been published and are still in use today, such as the hymn "Ich will dich lieben, meine Strke" (I Will Love You, My Strength), which appears in 36 hymnals. Other notable works include "Der am Kreuz" and "Franconia."

Despite his significant contributions to the world of Baroque music, Knig's name is often overlooked in discussions of the era's great composers. However, his music lives on and continues to be appreciated by audiences around the world.