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Johann Christoph Dorn (Organ, Schoolmaster, Bach’s Pupil)

Born: September 5, 1707 - Gruna (Mulde), near Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany
Died: April 18, 1785 - Torgau, Saxony, Germany

Johann Christoph Dorn was a German organist and schoolmaster. He attended the Thomasschule in Leipzig as a day-boy (external) from 1724 to 1731 and studied privately with J.S. Bach, who supplied a testimonial for him in 1731 (dated May 11, 1731), when he competed unsuccessfully for the post of organist at the Johanniskirche in Leipzig. In 1732 he was made deputy organist and girls' schoolmaster in Belgern, near Torgau (until 1737 as adjunct). In 1744 he was appointed organist and girls' schoolmaster in Torgau itself, where he died.

In connection with his employment in Torgau (1744), Johann Christoph Dorn described himself as “Bach's apprentice”. J.S. Bach only speaks of a “specimen” (an exam) in his testimony for Dorn from 1731 and leaves the student relationship unmentioned. The lessons may not have been started until then and therefore only lasted for a short time.

References: Koska: A-17

 

Sources:
1. Oxford Composer Companions J.S. Bach (Editor: Malcolm Boyd, OUP, 1999)
2. Bernd Koska: Bachs Privatschüler in Bach-Jahrbuch 2019, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2020)
Contributed by
Aryeh Oron (January 2011, May 2020); Thomas Braatz (January 2011)

Links to other Sites

 

Bibliography

Sources: Dok I, Nr. 69; Dok II, Nr. 524; Dok V, Nr. B 366a; Löffler 1929/31, Nr. 28; Löffler 1953, Nr. 43; H. Henkel, Orgeln im Umfeld Bachs, in: Bericht über die Wissenschaftliche Konferenz zum 5. Internationalen Bachfest der DDR in Verbindung mit dem 60. Bachfest der Neuen Bachgesellschaft. Leipzig, 25. bis 27. März 1985, hrsg. von W. Hoffmann und A. Schneiderheinze, Leipzig 1988, S. 113–124, speziell S. 117

Bach's Pupils: List of Bach's Pupils | Actual and Potential Non-Thomaner Singers and Players who participated in Bach’s Figural Music in Leipzig | Alumni of the Thomasschule in Leipzig during Bach's Tenure | List of Bach's Private Pupils | List of Bach's Copyists
Thomanerchor Leipzig: Short History | Members: 1729 | 1730 | 1731 | 1740-1741 | 1744-1745 | Modern Times
Bach’s Pupils Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2
Articles: Organizional Structure of the Thomasschule in Leipzig | The Rules Established for the Thomasschule by a Noble and Very Wise Leipzig City Council - Printed by Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf Leipzig, 1733 | Homage Works for Thomas School Rectors


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Bach & Other Composers




 

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