Hunold, Christian Friedrich. A poet, known as Menantes, who wrote poems for the Hamburg Theatre 1700 to 1706; became a professor at Halle, and was much at the Cöthen Court, where he wrote texts for Bach’s cantatas.
Instrument. A name given to a keyed instrument of which the strings went from side to side as in the obsolete square pianoforte, the key-board being in the middle.
Inventions. The fifteen Inventions and Symphonies were entitled by Bach “A genuine introduction whereby a clear method is shown to lovers of the clavier, and especially to those who are eager to learn, not only (1) of playing in two voices clearly, but also, on making further progress, (2) of playing three obbligato parts properly and well; so that they at the same time will learn to make good inventions and play them themselves, and will also learn what is most important, the art of cantabile playing; and will acquire a good taste in composition. Prepared by J. S. Bach, 1723.”
Keiser, Reinhard, was for forty years the celebrated composer and conductor of operas at Hamburg. He had as colleagues Telemann and Matheson. He wrote 116 operas, and produced many by other composers, particularly Handel’s Rinaldo. Born near Leipsic, 1673, died 1739.
Kuhnau, Johann, 1667-1722, Bach’s predecessor as cantor at the Thomas-schule, was a prolific writer on musical subjects. Amongst his compositions are six Bible sonatas, representing scenes from Scripture on the cembalo. He was the first to write chamber sonatas for the clavier instead of for several instruments. He was also learned in languages, mathematics, and law. He wrote passions, cantatas, &c., but his style seems to have soon become antiquated, and his works could not hold their own against the opera and the younger school.
Lituus. The cantata No. 118, “O Jesu Christ mein’s Leben’s Licht,” is scored for two litui, cornet and three trombones. There are no string or organ parts, and the work is evidently intended for the open air, perhaps for a funeral. There is no reason given for calling the trumpets by their Latin name in this instance.
Lute. This instrument appears in the score of the St John’s Passion. It was sometimes used instead of a clavecin to accompany concerted music.
Lute-Harpsichord. A keyed instrument with gut strings made after Bach’s design by Zacharias Hildebrand, an organ builder. See p. [157].
Matheson, 1681-1764, wrote 89 volumes chiefly on musical subjects, besides being a composer. He was a classical scholar, a student of modern languages, law, and political science, a good musician, dancer, and fencer. He appeared on the Hamburg stage as a singer, composed and conducted operas there, became a great friend of Handel, was made secretary of the English Legation, and cantor and canon of the Cathedral. By his writings he materially helped forward the development of the church cantata.
Mizler, von Kolof, Doctor of Philosophy and historian, born 1711 at Wurtemberg, was a good amateur musician. In 1731 he went to Leipsic to study divinity and afterwards philosophy and music. Here he founded a “Society for Musical Science,” and became on friendly terms with Bach, who seems to have given him some lessons. He wrote various works dealing with the philosophy of music; and his chief importance in connection with Bach was his “Necrology” in which he gives valuable information concerning him. The work is in several numbers; unfortunately that portion of it which deals with Bach is not in the British Museum Library.