Picander
Encyclopedia
Picander was the pseudonym
of Christian Friedrich Henrici (January 14, 1700 – May 10, 1764), a German
poet
and librettist
for many of Johann Sebastian Bach
's Leipzig
cantata
s. Henrici studied law at Wittenberg
and Leipzig and most likely practiced or taught law while writing poetry
on the side.
The preface to one of his volumes of poetry indicates that the entire volume was set to music by Bach in 1729, although only nine cantatas based on that particular volume have survived to the present day. Since some of Bach's most important works, in particular the Coffee Cantata (BWV 211, 1732–1734), the St Matthew Passion (BWV 244, 1727), and the Christmas Oratorio
(BWV 248, 1734) used Henrici's librettos, this may indicate an especially tragic loss of Bach's music.
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of Christian Friedrich Henrici (January 14, 1700 – May 10, 1764), a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
poet
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
and librettist
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
for many of Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
's Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
s. Henrici studied law at Wittenberg
Wittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
and Leipzig and most likely practiced or taught law while writing poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
on the side.
The preface to one of his volumes of poetry indicates that the entire volume was set to music by Bach in 1729, although only nine cantatas based on that particular volume have survived to the present day. Since some of Bach's most important works, in particular the Coffee Cantata (BWV 211, 1732–1734), the St Matthew Passion (BWV 244, 1727), and the Christmas Oratorio
Christmas Oratorio
The Christmas Oratorio BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It was written for the Christmas season of 1734 incorporating music from earlier compositions, including three secular cantatas written during 1733 and 1734 and a...
(BWV 248, 1734) used Henrici's librettos, this may indicate an especially tragic loss of Bach's music.