Short bio Johann Philipp Kirnberger
Full biography Johann Philipp Kirnberger
Johann Philipp Kirnberger (1721-1783) was a German composer , music theorist, and violinist. He worked as a music teacher for Princess Anna Amalia and was employed as a court musician in Berlin. Kirnberger was a prominent music theorist who wrote extensively about music theory, and his work was highly regarded during his time. His most significant contribution to music theory was his advocacy for equal temperament tuning. He wrote a number of compositions, including keyboard and chamber music, songs, and a small amount of church music. However, his compositions were not as highly regarded as his theoretical writings. Some listeners found them uninspired, and he is therefore considered to be of lesser importance as a composer.
Kirnberger's theoretical writings were highly influential, and he wrote extensively on topics such as tuning systems, harmony, counterpoint, and fugue. His most significant contribution to music theory was his advocacy for equal temperament tuning, which was a revolutionary idea during his time. He also developed a system of tuning based on the circle of fifths, known as the Kirnberger tuning, and he wrote extensively about this system.
Kirnberger's works include "The Art of Strict Musical Composition", "The Well-Tempered Clavier: A Guide for Pianists and Keyboard Players", and "Die wahren Grundsätze zum Gebrauch der Harmonie". He had a long-standing feud with another prominent music theorist of his time, Friedrich Wilhelm Marpurg. They disagreed on many theoretical issues, and their debates were highly publicized during the 18th century.
Overall, Johann Philipp Kirnberger was an important figure in the development of music theory during the 18th century. Although he was not considered to be a particularly talented composer during his time, his theoretical writings continue to be studied and are still relevant today. His work on equal temperament tuning was particularly significant and had a lasting impact on the development of Western music.
Compositions featuring Johann Philipp Kirnberger
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tempo di Minuetto for flute & keyboard (from Vermischte Musikalien) | 4:43 min | Chamber Music | 1769 |
| 2 | Sonata for cello & continuo in C major | 15:17 min | Chamber Music | 1769 |
| 3 | Preludium and Fugue for harpsichord in E minor | 3:25 min | Keyboard | - |
| 4 | Trio Sonata for 2 violins & continuo in D minor | 7:31 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 5 | Trio for flute, violin & continuo in G minor | 9:01 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 6 | Trio for flute, violin & continuo in C major | 6:47 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 7 | Symphony for 2 horns, strings & continuo in D major | 6:23 min | Orchestral | - |
| 8 | Sonata for piano in D major | 13:00 min | Keyboard | - |
| 9 | Sonata for oboe in B flat | 9:22 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 10 | Sonata for flute & continuo in G minor | 10:01 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 11 | Sonata for flute & continuo in G major | 10:32 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 12 | Sonata for flute & continuo in E flat minor | 7:55 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 13 | Sonata for flute & continuo in C major | 11:14 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 14 | Sonata for flute & continuo in B flat major | 10:49 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 15 | Sonata da Camera in E minor | 13:55 min | - | |
| 16 | Allein Gott in der Hüh sei Ehr, for organ | 6:19 min | Keyboard | - |
| 17 | Passion Chorale, for organ | Keyboard | - | |
| 18 | Musicalischer Circul | 4:33 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 19 | Masura (Mazurka) | 4:56 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 20 | Komm, Gott, Schöpfer, heil'ger Geist für Traversflöte und Orgel | 3:30 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 21 | Fugues (8) for organ or harpsichord | Keyboard | - | |
| 22 | Fugue for harpsichord in F minor | 1:43 min | Keyboard | - |
| 23 | Fuga in F minor | 1:59 min | - | |
| 24 | Erbarm dich, unser Gott, motet | 14:05 min | Choral | - |
| 25 | Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo in C minor | 11:16 min | Concerto | - |
| 26 | Chorale prelude for organ ("Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan") | 0:58 min | Keyboard | - |
| 27 | Chorale prelude for organ ("Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ") | 0:47 min | Keyboard | - |
| 28 | Chorale prelude for organ "Vom Himmel hoch" | 8:10 min | Keyboard | - |
| 29 | An den Flüssen Babylons, for chorus & ensemble | 3:40 min | Choral | - |
Albums featuring Johann Philipp Kirnberger
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Johann Schneider, Johann Philipp Kirnberger, Walter Gatti – Organ Music(CD, ) | 2023 | Brilliant Classics |
| 2 |  |
Abel, Benda, Quantz, Kirnberger, Müthel, Telemann, Bach, Laurence Dean, Andrew Lawrence-King – Musik Der Empfindsamkeit Für Flöte & Harfe(CD, Album, Reissue) | 2019 | Christophorus |
| 3 |  |
Christine Schornsheim - Bach-Söhne/Sons, Kirnberger, Müthel, Nichelmann, Naumann, Rosetti, Wolf – Konzerte ● Concertos(3×CD, ) | 2006 | Capriccio (2) |
| 4 |  |
C.P.E. Bach, Friedrich II., Quantz, Agricola, Eichner, Kirnberger, Bononcini, Nichelmann, Schaffrath, Graun, Benda, Hasse, Telemann – Musik Am Preußischen Hof(5×CD, , Box Set, Compilation) | 2001 | Berlin Classics |
| 5 |  |
Johann Philipp Kirnberger, Frank Theuns, Richte van der Meer, Ewald Demeyere – Sonaten Voor Fluit . Sonatas For Flute(CD, ) | 1998 | Eufoda |
| 6 |  |
Wilbert Hazelzet, Jacques Ogg, Jaap ter Linden - Goldberg, Kirnberger, Abel, Krebs, Müthel – Music By Bach's Students | 1997 | Glossa |
| 7 |  |
J. S. Bach, Kittel, Kirnberger − Edgar Krapp – Aus III. Teil Der Clavierübung: Kleine Choralbearbeitungen • 4 Duette / Choralbearbeitungen Aus Der »Kirnbergerschen Sammlung« / Kittel • Kirnberger Orgelwerke | 1995 | Berlin Classics |
| 8 |  |
Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Philipp Kirnberger, César Franck, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Wieland Meinhold – Die Schönefeld-Orgel der Schlosskapelle zu Saalfeld/Saale(LP) | 1992 | Hambaphon |
| 9 |  |
B. Marcello, J. M. Molter, G. Ph. Telemann, J. S. Bach, F. Benda, J. Ph. Kirnberger - Sonatori Chamber Duo - Peter Brock (3), Berthold Fritz – Sonatori Chamber Duo Peter Brock Flute Berthold Fritz Harpsichord(CD, Album) | 1991 | Multisonic |
| 10 |  |
Franz Xaver Anton Murschhauser, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Philipp Kirnberger, Joseph Haydn - Рольф Уусвяли – Органы Эстонии = Eesti Orelid 31(LP) | 1991 | Мелодия |
| 11 |  |
J. L. Krebs, J. Ph. Kirnberger, J. G. Müthel, J. G. Goldberg, Ch. Nichelmann - Das Süddeutsche Barockensemble, Leonore Wehrung, Alfred Trippner, Richard Amboden, Herbert Schäfer, Martin Gotthard Schneider – Johann Sebastian Bach Und Seine Schüler | 1974 | Impromptu |
| 12 |  |
J.C. Bach / J.P. Kirnberger / C.P.E. Bach - Luciano Sgrizzi, Orchestre De Chambre Jean-François Paillard – Trois Concertos (Autour De J.S. Bach) | 1971 | Erato |
| 13 |  |
Krebs / Kirnberger / Scheinpflug / Stamitz, Orchestra Da Camera Della Staatskapelle Di Weimar, Rolf Reuter – Sinfonias And Concerti(CD, ) | - | Pilz |
| 14 |  |
Johann Christian Bach, Johann Philipp Kirnberger, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Luciano Sgrizzi, Jean-François Paillard Chamber Orchestra, Jean-François Paillard – Around J.S. Bach - Keyboard Concerti By C.P.E. Bach, J.C. Bach & J.P. Kirnberger(LP, Album | - | Musical Heritage Society |
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