Chapter IV
Bach becomes capellmeister to the Duke of Cöthen—His Weimar pupils—His new duties—Death of his wife—Journey to Hamburg—He competes for an organistship there—The post is sold—Disgust of Mattheson at the transaction—Bach endeavours to meet Handel—His second marriage—Is obliged to leave Cöthen.
Bach returned from Dresden to prepare for a jubilee at Weimar, in commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the Reformation. The festival took place from October 31st to November 2nd, and for it Bach composed at least one cantata and perhaps two. On this occasion the Duke established a fund, of which the interest was to be distributed yearly, the Court organist to receive 3 gülden from it.
Fourth appointment
The old capellmeister, Samuel Drese, had for twenty years been too much out of health to fulfil his duties. The duke, however, would not dismiss him, but gave him a deputy, G. C. Strattner, at a salary of 200 gülden. Drese died on December 1, 1716, and it would seem natural that Bach should be appointed in his place. For some reason, however, he was passed over, and Drese’s son (who had succeeded Strattner as deputy capellmeister) was installed. Bach, therefore, accepted an offer made by Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen of a capellmeister-ship, and in November 1717 moved to Cöthen. His post at the Weimar Castle organ was filled by his pupil Schubart.
Amongst Bach’s duties at Weimar was that of composing and conducting a certain number of sacred pieces every year, to texts by Franck, the secretary to the Superior Consistory of the Principality of Weimar, and librarian to the duke. Franck was a good poet, and had written excellent masques, besides occasional pieces for weddings, etc.
Pupils
Bach’s fine playing naturally attracted many pupils. In those days there were no Conservatoires or Academies of Music; and pupils were “articled,” as in our own country, to eminent organists, taking much the same place as apprentices in any trade—in fact, they were called apprentices. His first pupil, who was also his amanuensis, was J. M. Schubart; of J. C. Vogler, Gerber says that Bach considered him his best organ pupil. He became Court organist and burgomaster of Weimar.
Another pupil was Joh. T. Krebs, who, however, did not begin studying till he was married and had already a post as organist at Buttestädt near Weimar, whence he used to walk weekly to Weimar, for seven years, to obtain instruction from Walther, and afterwards from Bach.
Krebs’ son, Joh. Ludwig, became a pupil of Bach at Leipsic at the age of thirteen, and Bach had a very high opinion of him. He received the appointment of organist of Buttestädt. According to Gerber, he was Bach’s pupil and assistant at the harpsichord for nine years, and was second only to Vogler in eminence.