Johann Christoph Altnickol

Full biography Johann Christoph Altnickol

Johann Christoph Altnickol was a German composer, bass singer, and organist, who was born on January 1, 1720, and died on July 25, 1759. He was married to Johanna Maria Rungs and was a student of Johann Sebastian Bach, whom he later married Bach's second eldest daughter, Anna Magdalena. He studied with Bach for several years and also copied many of his works, including the Goldberg Variations.

In addition to his work as an organist, Altnickol composed several works of his own, including cantatas and a Magnificat, although many of his compositions have been lost. Despite having a close relationship with Bach and his family, his own works did not receive much attention during his lifetime, and he is generally not well-known as a composer today.

He also taught several students, including the composer Johann Gottfried Mthel, who studied with him after Bach's death. Altnickol's own compositions were influenced by Bach's works, as is evidenced by his use of polyphony and chorale-style writing.

Overall, while Johann Christoph Altnickol may not be a well-known figure in music history, his contributions as a composer and his close relationship with Bach and his family make him an important figure in the musical legacy of the Baroque era.