Georg Riedel (Altstadt Kantor)

Georg Riedel (Sensburg 6 June 1676 - Königsberg, 5 Feb 1738) was a German composer.

In 1694 Riedel entered the University of Königsberg, to study theology. He wrote a serenade (lost) for the celebrations of the coronation of Frederick I of Prussia in 1701 as well as other occasional works for inaugurations, weddings, birthdays and funerals. In 1709 he was appointed Kantor at the Altstadt church, one of Königsberg’s three key musical positions, which he occupied until his death.

His unique monumental settings of the entire Gospel of Matthew, the entire Book of Psalms, and the entire book of Revelation, were preserved in the archives of Kaliningrad. His compositions are probably lost due to the destruction of Koenigsberg/Kaliningrad in 1945. There is however still hope, that Riedel`s works may be recovered in future, as parts of the various archives of Koenigsberg were distributed among Polish and Sowiet institutions after the war.

It is not clear if he is related to another Georg Riedel, born 1715 in Neidenburg, who was Kantor first of the Löbenicht church in Königsberg (1749–1753) then at the cathedral (1753 to his death in 1791).[1]

Works

Monumental oratorios:

Occasional works:

Recordings

References

  1. ^ G. Döring: ‘Die Musik in Preussen im XVIII. Jahrhundert’, MMg, i (1869), 147–55, esp. 150–53 confuses the two Georg Riedels
  2. ^ H. Güttler: ‘Die Monumentaloratorien des Königsberger Kantors Georg Riedel (1676–1738) Musikwissenschaftlicher Kongress der Deutschen Musikgesellschaft: Leipzig 1925, 373–8
  3. ^ Güttler H. ‘Die Gelegenheitskompositionen Georg Riedels’, Königsberger Beiträge: Festgabe zur vierhundertjährigen Jubelfeier der Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek zu Königsberg Pr. (Königsberg, 1929), 181–95