Krebs, family of German musicians:

Krebs , family of German musicians:

(1) Johann Tobias Krebs , organist and composer; b. Heichelheim, Weimar, July 7, 1690; d. Buttstädt, Weimar, Feb. 11, 1762. He became organist in Buttstädt (1710), and concurrently studied with J.G. Walther and later with Bach in Weimar. He was made organist of the Michaeliskirche in Buttstädt (1721). His sacred music is not extant; several chorale settings for organ have survived.

(2) Johann Ludwig Krebs , organist and composer, son of the preceding; b. Buttstädt, Weimar (baptized), Oct. 12, 1713; d. Altenburg, Jan. 1, 1780. He received methodical training in music from his father, and subsequently studied keyboard playing, lute, and violin at the Leipzig Thomasschule (1726–35), receiving valuable training from Bach. He then studied at the Univ. of Leipzig (1735–37), but continued to be active at the Thomaskirche and also performed as a harpsichordist in Bach’s Collegium Musicum. Later he was organist at Zwickau’s Marienkirche (1737--3), at the Zeitz castle (1744–55), and at the court of Prince Friedrich of Gotha Altenburg (from 1755). He was a talented composer whose works reveal the combined influences of Bach and the galant style. See C. Geissler, ed., J.L. Krebs: Gesatnt-Ausgabe der Tonstücke für die Orgel (Magdeburg, 1847-49), K. Tittel, ed., J.L• Krebs: Ausgewählte Orgelwerke, Die Orgel, 2^nd series, XVIII, XX, XXI, XXVI (Lippstadt, 1963-75), and G. Weinberger, ed., J.L. Krebs: Sämtliche Orgelwerke (1985–86).

Works

keyboard:organ: 8 preludes and fugues; 2 toccatas and fugues; 2 fantasias and fugues; 10 free preludes or fantasias; 16 fugues, including 1 on the name of B-A-C-H; 14 trios; many chorale settings; also a number of works for organ and other instruments. other keyboard:Erste Piece, bestehend in 6 leichten…Praembulis (Nuremberg, 1740); Andere Piece, bestehend in einer leichten…Suite (Nuremberg, 1741); Dritte Piece, bestehend in einer…Ouverture (Nuremberg, 17Al); Vierte Piece, bestehend in einem…Concerto (Nuremberg, 1743); Clavier- Übung, bestehend in verschiedenen Vorspielen und Veränderungen einiger Kirchen Gesänge (Nuremberg, n.d.); Ciavier-Übung bestehend in einer…Suite…zwey ter Theil (Nuremberg, n.d.); Clavier-Übung bestehend in sechs Sonatinen … III^er Theil (Nuremberg, n.d.); Exercice sur le clavessin consistant en VI suites, op.4 (Nuremberg, n.d.); Concerto for 2 Harpsichords (ed. by B. Klein, Leipzig, 1966). instrumental: 2 sinfonias for 2 Violins, Viola, and Basso Continuo; 2 concertos for Lute and Strings (ed. by R. Chiesa, Milan, 1970-71); Concerto for Harpsichord, Oboe, and Strings (ed. by K. Jametzky, Heidelberg, 1976); 6 trios for 2 Flutes or Violins and Basso Continuo (Nuremberg, n.d.); 6 Sonata da camera for Harpsichord and Flute or Violin (Leipzig, 1762; ed. by B. Klein as Sechs Kammersonaten, Leipzig, 1963); Musikalischer und angenehmer Zeitvertreib bestehet in 2 Sonaten for Harpsichord and Flute or Violin (Nuremberg, n.d.). vocal: A number of sacred works.

Bibliography

J. Horstman, The Instrumental Music of J.L. K. (diss., Boston Univ., 1959; with thematic catalog).

(3) Johann Gottfried Krebs , organist and composer, son of the preceding; b. Zwickau (baptized), May 29, 1741; d. Altenburg, Jan. 5, 1814. He served as Mittelorganist in Altenburg (1758–81), then was Stadtkantor there until his death. He wrote much sacred music, including some 70 cantatas and an oratorio, as well as a musical drama and keyboard pieces. His 2 brothers were also musicians: Carl Heinrich Gottlieb Krebs (1747–93) was court organist in Esenberg from 1774. Ehrenfried Christian Traugott Krebs (1753–1804) was his father’s successor as Altenburg court organist (1780). He publ. 6 organ chorale-preludes (Leipzig, 1787).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire