Johann Gottlob Harrer (Composer, Thomaskantor)

Born: May 8, 1703 - Görlitz, Saxony, Germany
Died: July 9, 1755 - Karlsbad

The German composer, Johann Gottlob Harrer, studied in Italy; then served Count von Brühl in Dresden. In 1750 he succeeded J.S. Bach as Kantor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. He died while taking the waters at Karlsbad.

Works

Johann Gottlob Harrer made a rare collection of the works of older masters, which with his extensive library was incorporated with the Royal (now State) Library at Berlin. Unfortunately he added or augmented instrumental accompaniments in the scores of the older masters even as far back as the 16^th century.

His own compositions consisted of:

Instrumental
24 symphonies; concertos for various instruments; 3 oboe trios; 51 duets for flageolet, harpsichord sonatas

Church
Oratorios, passion music, masses and other church music.

In his compositions Harrer often used italianate style akin to Hasse's. Most of his compositions remained in MS. (Riemann; Q.-L.).

Source: Grove Concise Dictionary of Music (© 1994 by Oxford University Press); Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1952 Edition)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2005, February 2006)

Thomaskantors: Thomanerchor Leipzig | Gewandhausorchester Leipzig | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2

Links to other Sites

Johann Gottlob Harrer (Wikipedia) [German]
Lexikon: Johann Gottlob Harrer - Begriff [German]

Johann Gottlob Harrer (muziekbus) [Dutch]

Bibliography