Krebs, Johann Ludwig

1713-1780

Supposed to have been Bach's favorite organ pupil. Was born at Buttelstadt, Thuringia, and his father, Johann Tobias Krebs, himself a musician and pupil of Bach, did much to start the young Krebs' musical education properly. In 1726, when he entered the Thomasschule at Leipsic, the son began lessons with Bach, under whose instruction he remained for nine years.  Beside the organ, he played the clavier. When his course in philosophy was completed he became an organist, first at Zwickau and then at Zeitz, later, in 1756, being made Court organist at Altenburg, .where he remained the rest of his life. His best known works are Klavier-ubungen; concerto for piano; sonatas for piano and flute; trios for flute; suites and preludes for piano; organ music; and vocal music for the church. His two sons, Ehrenfried Christian Traugott and Johann Gottfried, were also musical, and both held their father's position at the Altenberg Court, although their ability was by no means as great as his.