Gottlob Harrer

Johann Gottlob Harrer, more commonly known as Gottlob Harrer, (8 May 1703 – 9 July 1755) was a German composer and choir leader. From 1731-1750 he worked as private musician to Count Heinrich von Brühl. In 1750 he succeeded Johann Sebastian Bach as Thomaskantor at the St. Thomas School, Leipzig; a post he maintained until his death in 1755.^[1]

Johann Gottlob Harrer was born in Görlitz on May 8, 1703. He originally intended to become a lawyer, and studied the law at the University of Leipzig from 1722-1725. Through the patronage of Count Heinrich von Brühl, he trained as a musician in Italy. Upon completing his education he returned to Germany where he served the count as his private musician in Dresden from 1731-1750.^[1]

Following the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750, Harrer became his successor as Thomaskantor at the St. Thomas School, Leipzig; remaining in his post until his own death in 1755. He composed much instrumental music, including 27 symphonies, 24 orchestral suites, 51 flute duets and a number of harpsichord sonatas. He also wrote two masses for choir and orchestra, one mass for unaccompanied voices, 47 cantatas and a number of oratorios, passions, psalms, and motets.^[1]

• (in German) A. Schering: Der Thomaskantor Johann Gottlob Harrer. In: Bach-Jahrbuch. Band XXVII. 1931
• (in German) ADB entry
• (in German) Ulrike Kollmar: Gottlob Harrer (1703–1755), Kapellmeister des Grafen Heinrich von Brühl am sächsisch-polnischen Hof und Thomaskantor in Leipzig (= Schriften zur mitteldeutschen Musikgeschichte. Band 12). Ortus-Musikverlag, Beeskow 2006, ISBN 978-3-937788-04-3.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gottlob Harrer.

• (in German) Literature by and about Gottlob Harrer in the German National Library catalogue
• http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Harrer-Johann-Gottlob.htm