148 - Knöfel,J.

Knöfel,J. Cantus choralis. Musicis numeris quinque vocum inclusus, eo ordine, quo per totum anni curriculum praecipuis diebus festis in ecclesia cantari solet. Nuremberg, Theodor Gerlach 1575. qu.8°. [3] pp., 37 num. With woodcut title, large woodcut coat of arms (verso title) and woodcut musical notes. Mod. Prgt. (slightly rubbed). MGG VII, 1273 ff. RISM A I, K 990 - Only edition, extremely rare. - "In his collection "Cantus Choralis", published in 1575, Knöfel compiled a volume of seven festive masses in a total of 130 predominantly five- to six-part motet-like choral movements of mostly concise brevity (therefore excellently suited for use in church services!). As the masses are intended for the main festivals of the church year, there are movements for almost every occasion. The cantabile, calmly flowing pieces are particularly suitable for meditative church services; they can be performed by soloists as well as choirs and are also suitable for smaller choirs!" (Elsie Pfister, Württ. Blätter für Kirchenmusik 6/2001). - "In 1571 he (Knöfel) dedicated his first work, 'Dulcissimae cantiones', to Duke Heinrich. In the preface, he proves to be an ardent supporter of Luther's teachings. His next work, Cantus choralis (1575), is dedicated to the council of Breslau, who had already introduced the Lutheran doctrine in the city churches between 1523 and 1525 and appointed Protestant preachers. Silesian composer J. Knöfel (also Knefel, Knöbel and Knöphlin 1525-1617) "was appointed Capellmeister to Count Palatine Ludwig bei Rhein shortly before 1580, as he himself states in his "Cantiones piae 6 et 5 vocibug"; before that he seems to have stayed at the Liegnitz court, as he dedicates his "Dulcissimae quaedam Cantiones, numero XXXII. Quinque, Sex et Septem Vocum", 1571, to Duke Henry of Silesia, Liegnitz etc. and dates them "Liegnitz 1571". The court and state libraries in Munich, Berlin and Vienna, as well as the aforementioned library in Liegnitz, contain four larger printed collections of his compositions, including a collection of German songs for 5 voices, printed in Nuremberg by Katharina Gerlachin in 1581. In the latter he says in the dedication to the mayor and council of the town of Amberg, dated "Heydelberg, am Tag Petri und Pauli, im Jar 1581", that "Herr Ludwig Pfalzgraff bey Rhein, Herzog in Beyern, mein gnedigster Herr, vorlängst befohlen, dass ich zu meiner besseren übung und exercitation Järlich, wo möglich, etliche Gesang im Truck verfertigen und außgeben soll." This is also the last print we have of him and from then on any further information about him disappears, except that Schadaeus republished a six-part motet "Aufer a nobis Domine" in 1611. Modern times have not yet taken any notice of him" (R. Eitner in ADB XVI, 319). - Title page with erased stamp (some loss of text in the printing privilege), the dedication leaf just trimmed in the right margin, minor marginal tears inconspicuously restored, slightly browned, otherwise in very good condition.