Born: c1480 - Wunsiedel, Germany
Died: 1513 - Leipzig (?), Germany

Johannes [Johann] Scharnagel is the first testified Thomasschulkantor, serving in this post from 1505 to 1513 (?). 1500 register, 1507 Magister. In 1511 the Thomaskantor (Scharnagel?) escaped from the city, because he was suspected to be involved in a bloody brawl with a Nikolai chorister. In 1513 the Thomasschulkantor died, after he had enjoyed bad meat on a wedding, where he made music with others. In 1512 the same Thomasschulkantor had made possible the performance of a Motettenpassion, in the Nikolaikirche and in the Thomaskirche - perhaps the Obrechts - with twelve pupils.

Wustmann: "Beside this human rector ("Poliander" - Graumann, St. A) and his assistant (Mosellanus, St. A.) stood as Kantor e.g. 1505 for Johannes Scharnagel from Wunsiedel, the same Thomaskantor, who in 1511 flee from the city because he was suspected in a homicide of a choir pupil on the Grimmaischen Gasse, and was again accepted only later by the grace of the council."

Source: Thomanerchor Leipzig (January 2006), English translation by Aryeh Oron (February 2006)
Contributed by Dr. Stefan Altner (January 2006)

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