Walter Kraft
Encyclopedia
Walter Kraft was a German organist
and composer, best known for his remarkably long tenure (almost half a century, 1926-1972) at the Marienkirche, Lübeck.
During this tenure, Kraft, who had been a student of Paul Hindemith
in Berlin
, revived the practice of evening concerts of sacred works. Such concerts, collectively called Abendmusik
, had been regularly given by his predecessors at the church, notably Dietrich Buxtehude and Franz Tunder
; but they had ceased in 1810, mainly due to the dislocation caused to northern Germany by the Napoleonic wars.
Kraft made numerous records, usually for American labels, during the LP era — some of these have now re-emerged on CD — and as well as recording Handel
's 12 organ concertos, he was the first person to commit to disc the entire solo organ output (or what was thought to be at the time the entire solo organ output) of Bach
and Dieterich Buxtehude
. His discography also included pieces by more obscure German baroque musicians such as Nikolaus Bruhns.
Like his younger contemporary Anton Heiller
, Kraft also composed a fair amount (mostly organ music but also an oratorio called Christus), though as with Heiller, his fame as a performer completely upstaged his hopes of lasting renown as a creator. Once he retired in 1972 from the Marienkirche post, he apparently planned to write an opera, but never finished any such work. He died along with 32 others when Amsterdam's Hotel Poland caught fire.
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and composer, best known for his remarkably long tenure (almost half a century, 1926-1972) at the Marienkirche, Lübeck.
During this tenure, Kraft, who had been a student of Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, revived the practice of evening concerts of sacred works. Such concerts, collectively called Abendmusik
Abendmusik
Abendmusik is an evening concert, usually performed in a church.Specifically, this designation refers to a series of performances at the Marienkirche of Lübeck, Germany, begun in the 17th century and lasting until 1810...
, had been regularly given by his predecessors at the church, notably Dietrich Buxtehude and Franz Tunder
Franz Tunder
Franz Tunder was a German composer and organist of the early to middle Baroque era. He was an important link between the early German Baroque style which was based on Venetian models, and the later Baroque style which culminated in the music of J.S...
; but they had ceased in 1810, mainly due to the dislocation caused to northern Germany by the Napoleonic wars.
Kraft made numerous records, usually for American labels, during the LP era — some of these have now re-emerged on CD — and as well as recording Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
's 12 organ concertos, he was the first person to commit to disc the entire solo organ output (or what was thought to be at the time the entire solo organ output) of Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
and Dieterich Buxtehude
Dieterich Buxtehude
Dieterich Buxtehude was a German-Danish organist and composer of the Baroque period. His organ works represent a central part of the standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed at recitals and in church services...
. His discography also included pieces by more obscure German baroque musicians such as Nikolaus Bruhns.
Like his younger contemporary Anton Heiller
Anton Heiller
Anton Heiller was an Austrian organist, harpsichordist, composer, conductor.-Biography:Heiller was born at Vienna. After undergoing his initial church music training with Wilhelm Mück — organist at the Stephansdom Anton Heiller (September 15, 1923 — March 25, 1979) was an Austrian organist,...
, Kraft also composed a fair amount (mostly organ music but also an oratorio called Christus), though as with Heiller, his fame as a performer completely upstaged his hopes of lasting renown as a creator. Once he retired in 1972 from the Marienkirche post, he apparently planned to write an opera, but never finished any such work. He died along with 32 others when Amsterdam's Hotel Poland caught fire.