Johann Nathanael Bammler (Bach's Pupil)

Born: January 1722 (baptised: January 11, 1722) - Kirchberg, Saxony, Germany
Died: May 8, 1784 - Elsterberg, Vogtland, Germany

Johann Nathanael Bammler was a singer, instrumentalist, and teacher. In 1737 he entered the Thomasschule in Leipzig, where he remained for about ten years, becoming prefect of the second choir (1744-1745) and, in his last year, of the first choir (Thomanerchor). In this capacity he deputized for J.S. Bach during the latter's absences from Leipzig, and he also acted as one of his copyists (1745-1749); Peter Wollny identified him as the copyist previously known as 'Hauptkopist H'. On May 10, 1748 Bammler enrolled at Leipzig University as a theology student.

In 1749 J.S. Bach wrote one testimonial and dictated and signed another for him in connection with his application for the post of deputy Rector at the school in Eilenburg. In this he was unsuccessful, and in 1750 he returned to his native town. He succeeded finally in securing a post as Kantor in Elsterberg (Vogtland), where he remained for the rest of his life.

Source: Malcolm Boyd (Editor): Oxford Composer Companion - J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1999)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2010); Thomas Braatz (January 2011)

Bach's Pupils: List of Bach's Pupils | Actual and Potential Non-Thomaner Singers and Players who participated in Bach’s Figural Music in Leipzig | Bach’s Pupils - Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2

Links to other Sites

Bibliography

Peter Wollny: 'Neue Bach-Funde', BJb 83 (1997), 7-50, especially 36-50