A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Kittel, Johann Christian

KITTEL, Johann Christian, born at Erfurt, Feb. 18, 1732, one of the last pupils of J. S. Bach, who himself died July 28, 1750. His first post was that of organist at Langelsalza, which he left in 1756 for that of the Predigerkirche at his native place. His pay was wretched, and had to be eked out by incessant and laborious giving of lessons. Even when nearly 70 he was forced to make a tour to Göttingen, Hanover, Hamburg, and Altona. In the latter place he staid for some time, to the delight of the musicians there, and published a book of tunes for the Schleswig-Holstein Church (Neues Choralbuch, Altona 1803). Thence he crept home to Erfurt, where he died, May 9 [App. p.691 "May 18"], 1809, in great poverty, but saved from actual starvation by a small pension allowed him by Prince Primas of Dalberg. The fame of his playing was very great, but is hardly maintained by his works, which are not very important. The best are grand preludes for the organ in 2 books (Peters); six sonatas and a fantasia for the clavecin (Breitkopfs); and an organ school (Der angehende praktische Organist, in 3 books, 1801–8 (Erfurt, Beyer; 3rd edition 1831). His papers were inherited by his great pupil, C. H. Rinck, one of many famous organists who perfected themselves under him. Fétis tells us—and we may accept the story as true, since he was intimate with Rinck—that Kittel had inherited a full-sized portrait of Bach, and that when satisfied with his pupils he drew the curtain, and allowed them a sight of the picture, as the best reward he could afford them. It is a story quite in accordance with the devotion which Bach is known to have inspired in those who had to do with him.

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