Nichelmann, Christoph

1717-1762

 

Composer and author; born at Freuenbrietzen, in Brandenburg. He was a pupil in St. Thomas School, Leipsic, under Bach, and of Quantz in Berlin. He then lived for a time in   Hamburg and in 1744 was appointed harpsichord player to the Royal Chapel, acting as accompanist for Frederick the Great. In 1756 he left the chapel, dismissed for some unknown reason, and became a teacher of music in Berlin. He is now best remembered for his book, a treatise on melody, which caused much discussion among musicians of his time. His compositions are clavier pieces, sonatas and concertos; a serenade, songs for collections of Lange, Marpurg and others; and a serenade, The Dream of Scipio, performed at Berlin before the King in 1746.