Topic: Music by the last pupil of J S Bach, J. G. Müthel (Was mein Gott.....)
Music by the last pupil of J S Bach, J. G. Müthel
Was mein Gott, das gescheh allzeit ("God's time is always best.”)
Genre: Baroque into Classical
Johann Gottfried Müthel was the last pupil of the great Johann Sebastian Bach. He was present at the master's deathbed, and he performed the funeral services, taking over the duties of the deceased Cantor. The compositions of Johann Gottfried Müthel, the "last pupil of Bach", are rarely performed today.
Description:
Johann Gottfried Müthel (January 17, 1728 – July 14, 1788) was a German composer and noted keyboard virtuoso. Along with C.P.E. Bach, he represented the "Sturm und Drang" style of composition.
He was born in Mölln in the Duchy of Lauenburg. His father was Christian Caspar, an organist and friend of Georg Philipp Telemann. He studied music with his father, and later Johann Paul Kunzen in Lübeck. When only 19 years of age, he became a court organist and harpsichordist for Duke Christian Ludwig II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, in Schwerin.
In 1750 he was given leave to become the student of Bach in Leipzig. He became Bach's last pupil, beginning study only three months before the master's death. In that time, he notated a number of the blind composer's final works, including parts of the Orgelbüchlein. According to Bach's biographer Philipp Spitta, he was present at Bach's deathbed, and took over his duties for nine weeks. He maintained a lifelong friendship with C.P.E. Bach.
In 1751 Müthel returned to the ducal court, where he remained for two more years, eventually being replaced by his younger brother. Two years later he moved to Riga, where one of his brothers had moved. It was here that he published his first works, in 1756; most of his compositions remained in manuscript during his lifetime. At first he worked as a orchestra conductor before being appointed organist at St. Peter's Church, which he served from 1767 until 1788, when he died in nearby Bienenhof.
"Was mein Gott, das gescheh allzeit" is an exquisite prelude which I think will appeal to many. The editor has "corrected" the title, which I believe roughly means - "God's time is always best."
Johann Gottfried Müthel was the last pupil of the great Johann Sebastian Bach. He was present at the master's deathbed, and he performed the funeral services, taking over the duties of the deceased Cantor.
The compositions of Johann Gottfried Müthel, the "last pupil of Bach", are rarely performed today.
Using preset Romantic Cathedral , combination 4, and tremulants and couplers. I like the solo sound.
Did my rendition strike a chord with you? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
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Up next: Autumn Meditation, composed 11th August 2023! A rare piece of music by Henderson John, a retired doctor and now librarian of the Royal School of Church music. Piece dedicated to my friend Dave, who let me record it Henderson's personal library of 60,000 pieces of organ music supplies source material to many performers and recording companies world-wide.
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All the best, everyone
Stig
