Rolle, Johann Heinrich

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Rolle, Johann Heinrich

Rolle, Johann Heinrich , German organist, violinist, violist, and composer; b. Quedlinburg, Dec. 23, 1716; d. Magdeburg, Dec. 29, 1785. He studied with his father, the Kantor and composer Christian Friedrich Rolle (b. Halle, April 14, 1681; d. Magdeburg, Aug. 25, 1751). He was an organist in Magdeburg (1732–36), and later played violin and later viola in the Berlin Court Orch. (1741–47). He then returned to Magdeburg as organist at the Johanniskirche, and in 1751 became his father’s successor. He wrote numerous oratorios, many choral works, orch. pieces, chamber music, keyboard pieces, songs, etc.

Bibliography

W. Kawerau, J.H. R.: Ein musikalisches Characterbild (Magdeburg, 1885); R. Kaestner, J.H. R.: Untersuchungen zu Leben und Werk (Kassel, 1932).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire