Johann Christoph Altnickol German organist, bass singer and composer Date of Birth: 01.01.1720 Country: Germany

Johann Christoph Altnikol: Biography

Johann Christoph Altnikol was a German organist, bass singer, and composer. He was born in Berna bei Seidenberg, Oberlausitz, and was baptized on January 1, 1720. Altnikol received his first education at Lauban Lyceum in 1733. Between 1740 and 1744, Johann sang and served as an assistant organist at St Maria Magdalena church in Breslau.

In March 1744, Altnikol began studying theology at the University of Leipzig after receiving a stipend of four thalers in January of the same year. On Michaelmas Day in 1745, he sang as part of Johann Sebastian Bach's choir, which was unexpected since Altnikol was only a student at the time. In May 1747, Bach himself decided to make Altnikol a permanent member of the choir, as a bass singer, and rewarded him with a salary of 12 thalers for his work in April and May.

In April 1746, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach's son, recommended Altnikol for a position in Dresden, stating that he had studied keyboard and composition with his father. However, Wilhelm Bach never had the chance to meet Johann Altnikol in person.

In January 1748, Altnikol was appointed as an organist and teacher in Niederwiesa, near Greiffenberg, Silesia, after Bach spoke positively of him as a student. In September of the same year, following another recommendation from Bach, Altnikol moved to St Wenzel church in Naumburg. In January 1749, Altnikol married Elisabeth Juliana Friderica, Bach's daughter. They had their first son, Johann Sebastian, in October of the same year, but unfortunately, he died in infancy.

Forkel mentioned that Bach dictated his last chorale prelude, "Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit," to Altnikol on his deathbed, but the manuscript created by Altnikol did not survive. After Bach's death in 1750, Altnikol acted as his trusted representative and participated in the distribution of his estate. He also took care of Gottfried Heinrich Bach, Bach's son from his second marriage, who suffered from mental illness. During this time, he began teaching Johann Gottfried Muthel.

In 1753, Altnikol wished to move to Johanniskirche in Zittau but was unsuccessful, just like Wilhelm Friedemann Bach. He also taught trumpeter J. Ernst Altenburg in 1757. Altnikol's successor in Naumburg was Johann Friedrich Gräbner after Altnikol passed away in 1759. He was buried on July 25, 1759. His widow continued to receive support from Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, her stepbrother and Johann Sebastian Bach's fifth child. She remained in Naumburg until 1763 when Gottfried Heinrich died. After that, Elisabeth Juliana moved to Leipzig, where two of her daughters got married, and she passed away on August 25, 1781.

Many of Altnikol's works have been lost, including a Christian hymn and two cantatas. His compositions have not gained much recognition to this day. Some suggest that Bach may have spoken highly of Altnikol's compositional abilities solely because of their personal relationship.