Leipzig auditions 1722

Compositions and arrangements for the organ by applicants to the position of cantor.

On 5 July 1722, the Leipzig parish received sad news: Johann Kuhnau, who had faithfully served as cantor for over 20 years, had suddenly changed his instrument from the earthly organ to the heavenly harp. St. Thomas Church and St. Thomas School had to look for a new cantor.

There was no shortage of applicants this time around. Georg Philipp Telemann from Hamburg himself auditioned as early as August 1722. Other applicants for the position included Christoph Graupner from Darmstadt, Johann Friedrich from Zerbst and Johann Sebastian Bach from Köthen. The audition process, which lasted almost a year, had some quite unexpected turns – what actually happened?

Related to the quality improvement project of the St. Thomas Church, the Leipzig consistory has decided to organise an event in the Organo Hall of the Helsinki Music Centre, in which the selected auditor Timo Kiiskinen, professor of church music at Sibelius Academy, will perform organ music to the congregation present and report on what happened.

Performers

  • Timo Kiiskinen, organ

Programme

  • Telemann
  • Graupner
  • Fasch
  • J.S.Bach

Additional information: Matti Leisma, matti.leisma@uniarts.fi

Time

15.9.2022 at 18:00 – 19:00

Location

Organo

Mannerheimintie 13a

00100 Helsinki

Helsinki Music Centre

Tickets

6,50–18 €

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Location on map

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