Balthasar Kindermann (Hymn-Writer)

Born: April 10, 1636 - Zittau, Germany
Died: February 12, 1706 - Magdeburg, Germany

The German poet, Balthasar Benjamin Kindermann, attended the Gymnasium in his home-town, and afterwards was taught by Elias Weise there. In 1654 he moved to Wittenberg for studies of theology, poetry and rhetoric. He 1657 he received Magister degree in theology. Already one year later he was crowned by Johann Rist as poeta laureatus and accepted it in Elbschwanenorden .

In 1659 Balthasar Kindermann was appointed as Konrektor at the Saldnerischen Schule in Brandenburg. In 1667 he left there to Magdeburg, where he was appointed as Deacon at the St. Johanniskirche. Since 1672 he was active as first Prediger at the St. Ulrichskirche. Here he became in 1690 the successor of Christian Scrivers in the Seniorat, later also Scholarch.

Balthasar Kindermann's work is varied and versatile: satires equal to those of Johann Michael Moscherosch, moral-training poems; in additions poems and speeches foe special occasions.

Source: Wikipedia Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (December 2005)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2005)

Texts of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

BWV 64, BWV 94

Chorale Texts used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Title

Year

EKG

Zahn

Was frag ich nach der Welt

1644

Links to other Sites

Balthasar Kindermann (Wikipedia) [German]

Bibliography