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German composer
Melchior Hoffmann
Born c1679 (1679-05-01UTC12:12:44 ) Died 6 October 1715 (1715-10-07 ) Leipzig
Other names Georg Melchior Hoffmann Occupations Spouse Margaretha Elisabeth Philipp
Georg Melchior Hoffmann (c. 1679 – 6 October 1715) was a Baroque composer who was influential as the leader at the
Collegium Musicum in Leipzig. Some of his compositions have been mistaken for those of
Johann Sebastian Bach .
Biography
Hoffman was born sometime around 1679 (or 1685 according to some sources) in
Bärenstein (now part of
Altenberg ),
Saxony , Germany.
[2] His first musical service was as a choirboy in Dresden, under the tutelage of Johann Christoph Schmidt.
[2] In 1702 he moved to Leipzig to study law. Simultaneously he joined
Georg Philipp Telemann at the Collegium Musicum in
Leipzig
[2] and acted as the organization's copyist.
[3] Hoffmann succeeded Telemann as director of the Collegium Musicum in 1705, a position that did not end until Hoffman's death ten years later.
[4] In this position he became an educator,
[5] and his students included
Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel .
[4] He was noted for expanding the orchestra at the Collegium to more than 40 musicians.
[6] Other responsibilities included being the organist at the
Neukirche , and director of the Leipzig civic opera, for which he composed several works. He is known to have journeyed to England sometime around the years 1709-1710. In 1713 he began to suffer from the malady which would eventually prove fatal.
[2] He accepted a position as the organist at the Liebfrauenkirche at
Halle in the spring of 1714, but resigned July 12 of that year having never served in that capacity.
[2] He married Margaretha Elisabeth Philipp on 9 September 1714.
[2] He succumbed to illness, in otherwise prosperous circumstances, on 6 October 1715.
[2]
Compositions
Hoffmann's compositions have been mistaken for the work of
J. S. Bach . Research has indicated that an
aria for
alto ,
Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde , BWV 53 , and the solo cantata for
tenor ,
Meine Seele rühmt und preist , BWV 189 ,
[7] are likely works by Hoffmann, and of more positive identification is a
Magnificat in A minor for solo soprano and small group, which during the 19th century was assigned a
BWV number of BWV Anh. 21.
[4] He has been sometimes confused with composer
Johann Georg Hoffmann [] , although there is no relation.
[2] None of his operas survive, but contemporary reviews indicate they were well received.
[6] He has been identified as the first composer to use bells in a serious manner.
[8]
Sacred music
Kyrie–Gloria Masses :
Mass for vocal soloist and small orchestra:
[9]
Version in E minor: for bass, violin and continuo.
[11]
Version in A minor: for tenor (or soprano), violetta and continuo.
[12]
Mass in C major (
c. 1710 ).
[13]
Sanctuses :
Sanctus in D major.
[14]
Sanctus in A minor (
c. 1708 ), for Purification.
[15]
Sanctus in C major (
c. 1710 ).
[16]
Magnificats and
church cantatas :
Entfernet euch ihr schmeichlenden Gedanken ,
cantata for Annunciation .
[17]
Meine Seele rühmt und preist , German Magnificat (paraphrase),
cantata for Visitation , previously attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (
BWV 189) and to Johann Georg Hoffmann.
[19]
[20]
[21]
Schlage doch gewünschte Stunde , aria,
cantata for funeral , also attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 53).
[22]
[23]
[24]
Wie glücklich ist mein Herz das voller Lust und Scherz , cantata
for Pentecost or
for the second day of Christmas .
[25]
Latin Magnificat in D minor (1700).
[26]
German Magnificat in A minor (
c. 1707 ), Meine Seele erhebt den Herren , previously attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV Anh. 21) and to Telemann (
TWV 1:1748).
[28]
[29]
Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (1708),
Psalm 96 ,
cantata for New Year's Day , previously attributed to Telemann (also TWV 1:1748, like the Magnificat in A minor).
[30]
[31]
Secular music
Arias and
Operas :
Aria "Schönste Lippen eure Liebe betet mit entzücktem Triebe"
[32]
From Banise or Die asiatische Banise (III) or L'Idaspe fedele (libretto by/after
Heinrich Anselm von Ziegler und Kliphausen [
de ] : Die Asiatische Banise Oder, Das blutig- doch muthige Pegu , Leipzig 1689):
[33]
"Ritorna già nel viso"
[34]
"Sollen nun die grünen Jahre" – attribution doubtful.
[35]
"Vive sperando nell petto il core"
[36]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 2): Ich suche mein Leben wo soll ich es finden.
[37]
Sarabande (?Act 1, Scene 2) – attribution doubtful.
[38]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 7): "Kann man's närr'scher auch erdenken"
[39]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 9): "Non spero più di vivere lontana"
[40]
Aria (Act 2, Scene 11): "Mein Herze brennt vor Courage in meiner Brust schon lichterloh"
[41]
Duet (Act 3, Scene 7): "La costanza ... La speranza"
[42]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 12):
"Nichts ist süßer als die Liebe"
[43]
"Voglio partir contento"
[44]
From Die amazonische Königin Orithya :
Aria (Act 1, Scene 3): "Denket nach ihr schönsten Lippen"
[45]
Aria (Act 2, Scene 8): "Es hilft dir wenig armes Herz"
[46]
From Zenobia und Radamisto :
Aria (Act 1, Scene 5): "Co' bei concenti di mia zampogna"
[47]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 6): "Blast die Trompeten"
[48]
Aria (Act 2, Scene 1): "Accompagna il rossignolo il pastor" (?)
[49]
From Xerxes (Michaelmas 1705):
"Ändert euch ihr harten Sinnen" – attribution doubtful.
[50]
From Cyniras und Irene (Easter 1708):
"Meine Freiheit geht zu Grabe" – attribution doubtful.
[51]
From Cosroes (Michaelmas 1708):
"Find ich denn durch meine Treue" – attribution doubtful.
[52]
From Die über Hass und Rache triumphirende Liebe an dem grossmüthigen Exempel Pharamundi (Easter 1710):
"Weicht ihr Schmerzen aus den Herzen" – attribution doubtful.
[53]
From Die rachgierige Nicea (Michaelmas 1710):
"Ich will euch küssen ich will euch drücken" – attribution doubtful.
[54]
"Unbeschreiblich ist mein Glücke" – attribution doubtful.
[55]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 10): "Ich will dir's nur gestehen du wirst mich niemals sehen" – also attributed to Telemann (TWV 21:149).
[56]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 14): "Könnt' ich den Geliebten sehen" – also attributed to Telemann (TWV 21:148).
[57]
Aria (Act 2, Scene 5): "Ihr holden Augen meiner Schönen ach schaut mich einmal gütig an" – also attributed to Telemann (TWV 21:153).
[58]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 1): "Ich will vergnügt mein Leben schließen" – also attributed to Telemann (TWV 21:147).
[59]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 13): "Du nennst mich ungerecht weil ich dich treu geliebt" – also attributed to Telemann (TWV 21:145).
[60]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 14): "Antwortet doch ihr schönsten Lippen" – also attributed to Telemann (TWV 21:151).
[61]
From Balacin or Die asiatische Banise (I) (Easter 1712):
"Wo find' ich dich geliebtes Leben" – attribution doubtful.
[62]
Aria (Act 2, Scene 2):
"Es machen's ja die lieben Mädgens zu dieser Zeit recht kunterbunt"
[63]
"Sag indessen werte Schöne"
[64]
Aria (Act 2, Scene 3): "Bleib doch allerliebstes Leben"
[65]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 6): "Soll ich hoffen"
[66]
Adagio, recitative and aria (Act 3, Scene 10): "Banise auf bereite dich zum Sterben"; "Die Stunde schlägt nun muß ich scheiden"
[67]
From Chaumigrim or Die asiatische Banise II (Easter 1712):
"Scheid' ich gleich anjetzt von hinnen" – attribution doubtful.
[68]
"Wenn die Mütter erst erfahren" – attribution doubtful.
[69]
Aria (Act 2, Scene 2): "Flieht ihr Seüffzer aus der Seelen"
[70]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 2): "Schlaf Scandor schlaf auf diesem Bettgestelle"
[71]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 10): "Ich will sengen, brennen, morden"
[72]
From Echo und Narzissus (Michaelmas 1712):
"Ach komm und eile" – attribution doubtful.
[73]
"Frische Blätter grüne Zweige" – attribution doubtful.
[74]
From Ismenie und Montaldo (New Year 1713):
"Mein liebster Schatz mein ander Herze" – attribution doubtful.
[75]
"Wenn unsre Mienen freundlich geschienen" – attribution doubtful.
[76]
From Ademarus (Easter 1713):
"Dir zu Liebe will ich leben schönster Engel" – attribution doubtful.
[77]
"Du hast in Lieben wenig Glücke" – attribution doubtful.
[78]
"Herr Niso lässt das Ding wohl bleiben" – attribution doubtful.
[79]
"Küsse mich mein wertes Leben" – attribution doubtful.
[80]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 1): "Dies ist der schönste Saft der Reben"
[81]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 2): "Im Friede zu lieben im Kriege zu streiten"
[82]
From Rhea Sylvia (Easter 1714; libretto by
Johann Ulrich von König [
de ] ):
"Endlich zeiget mir das Glücke" – attribution doubtful.
[83]
"Ich will euch küssen liebste Wangen" – attribution doubtful.
[84]
Aria "Quel d'amore è un certo malo che lo intendoe"
[85]
Aria "Viva eterna la mia face si che il ciel si girera"
[86]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 10): "Sarò immobile al martoro"
[87]
Aria (Act 1, Scene 16): "Die Liebe zeigt dir schon von ferne"
[88]
Aria (Act 3, Scene 5): "Per uscir di prigionia"
[89]
Cantatas (at least in part based on operas):
Auf muntre Sinnen zum Jagen – attribution doubtful.
[90]
Himmel laß mich doch erlangen – attribution doubtful.
[91]
Ich lebe als im Schlafe und weiß nicht was ich tu' .
[92]
Treue Liebe edler Seelen .
[93]
Verfolge mich immer mit rasenden Stürmen .
[94]
Concerto :
Trio sonata :
Sonata in G minor for oboe, violin and continuo.
[97]
[98]
Reception
Joshua Rifkin has identified Hoffman's style as having "freshness and charm" while noting the "occasional melodic angularity".
[4]
Recordings
German Magnificat in A minor
See
Magnificat in A minor (Hoffmann) § Recordings
Meine Seele rühmt und preist
See
Meine Seele rühmt und preist , BWV 189 § Recordings
Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde
See
Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde , BWV 53 § Recordings
Operas
Banise
"Schlaf, Scandon, schlaf", "Schöne Mädgen bringen Schwäger" and "Wenn die Mütter erst erfahren" recorded by the United Continuo Ensemble in 2010.
[99]
Echo und Narcissus
"Ach, komm und eile" and "Frische Blätter, grüne Zweige" recorded by the United Continuo Ensemble in 2010.
[99]
Ismenie und Montaldo
"Verlass mich nicht, mein liebstes Leben" recorded by the United Continuo Ensemble in 2010.
[99]
Rhea Sylvia
"Ich will euch küssen" recorded by the United Continuo Ensemble in 2010.
[99]
References
^
RISM
464000199 Hoffmann, Melchior: Magnificat in a-Moll
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h Oron, Aryeh; Braatz, Thomas (May 11, 2009).
"Georg Melchior Hoffmann (Composer)" . Bach Cantatas Website . Retrieved May 22, 2014 .
^ Kevorkian, Tanya (2007).
Baroque Piety: Religion, Society, and Music in Leipzig, 1650-1750 . Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 213.
ISBN
9780754654902 .
^
a
b
c
d
Joshua, Rifkin (1985). Bach Magnificat; Hoffman German Magnificat (CD). Pro-Arte. p. 5. CDD 185.
^ Hiller, Johann Adam (2001).
Treatise on Vocal Performance and Ornamentation . Cambridge University Press. p. 8.
ISBN
9781139428989 .
^
a
b Stevenson, Joseph.
"Melchior Hoffmann Artist Biography" . AllMusic . Retrieved May 22, 2014 .
^
Dürr, Alfred (1981).
Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach (in German). Vol. 1 (4 ed.). Deutscher Taschenbuchverlag. pp.
723–724 .
ISBN
3-423-04080-7 .
^ Dearling, Robert (1996). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments . Schirmer Books. p. 110.
ISBN
9780028646671 .
^
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452021538
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464131276
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464131277
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RISM
452021509
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RISM
452021539
^
RISM
452021540
^
RISM
452021508
^
RISM
211000201 ;
RISM
211000202
^
Meine Seele rühmt und preist : Scores at the
International Music Score Library Project
^
"Meine Seele rühmt und preist BWV 189 / Anh. II 23‑>" .
Bach Digital . Leipzig:
Bach Archive ; et al. 2019-03-11.
^
RISM
225007424
^
Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde : Scores at the
International Music Score Library Project
^
"Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde (Aria) BWV 53 / Anh. II 23‑>" .
Bach Digital . Leipzig:
Bach Archive ; et al. 2019-03-11.
^
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450063613 ;
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452503001
^
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220034151
^
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464000198
^
"Magnificat, a BWV Anh. 21 / Anh. III 168‑>" .
Bach Digital . Leipzig:
Bach Archive ; et al. 2018-07-07.
^
RISM
464000199
^
Singet dem Herrn, TWV 1:1748 : Scores at the
International Music Score Library Project
^
RISM
150204809 ;
RISM
452014932
^
RISM
250004967
^
Ziegler und Kliphausen, Heinrich Anselm von [
de ] (Leipzig 1689).
Die Asiatische Banise Oder, Das blutig- doch muthige Pegu .
^
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250004803
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225005304
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225005247
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225005232
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225005210
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225005245
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250005392
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250005391
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250005396
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250005390
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250005388
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250005394
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225005301
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250004838
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RISM
225005302 ;
RISM
455038328
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RISM
190002821 ;
RISM
250004840
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190002822
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250004843
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225005249
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225005250
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190002824
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250004842
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225005208
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225005221
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455030858
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250004969
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250004966
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RISM
250004970
^
Horn Concerto in E-flat major : Scores at the
International Music Score Library Project
^
RISM
210044722
^
Trio Sonata in G minor : Scores at the
International Music Score Library Project
^
RISM
210044723
^
a
b
c
d
Telemann and the Leipzig Opera: Popular Arias from the Collection Musicalische Rüstkammer at
Muziekweb website
Sources
Further reading
External links
International National Artists People Other