Meet Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel, the other composer of "Bist du bei mir" from last week's post! Stölzel was a contemporary of J.S. Bach, who borrowed from him in the composition of several of his pieces. Read more about Stölzel and Bach's borrowing below!
Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel (13 January 1690 – 27 November 1749) was a German composer of the Baroque era.
Stölzel was born in Grünstädtel in Saxony on 13 January 1690. His father, organist in Grünstädtel, gave him his first music education. When he was thirteen, he was sent to study in Schneeberg, where he was taught music, including thoroughbass, by cantor Christian Umlaufft, a former student of Johann Kuhnau. A few years later he was admitted to the gymnasium in Gera, where he further practiced music under Emanuel Kegel, the director of the court chapel. Some of his educators took a dim view of music, and tried to divert his attention from it: apart from engaging in poetry and oratory, Stölzel nonetheless continued to develop his interest in music.[2][3][4]
Is it Bach? Is it not Bach? Who is "Stölzel"? It's beautiful either way! Have a listen to this gorgeous recording (possibly my favorite version of this piece) and keep your eyes open for more about Stölzel next week!