The Harmonische Seelenlust (1733) by G.F. Kauffmann (1679-1735): A critical study of his organ registration indications

Abstract

G.F. Kauffmann exerted great, albeit disparaged influence on his contemporaries and the subsequent generation of organists and composers. Many of his works were copied and regularly performed by these musicians, including prominent composers such as J.S. Bach and J.G. Walther. Kauffmann is mostly associated with one of the most important collection of chorale preludes in the Baroque, viz. the Harmonische Seelenlust (Leipzig 1733), of which he is the composer. Among the numerous peculiar characteristics of this work are the registration indications supplied by Kauffmann himself. It is the most detailed source of registration in the entire Baroque era, consequently giving us a unique insight into the trends of combining stops during this period. Using Kauffmann’s particular style of registration, it becomes possible and even desirable to implement these suggestions found in the Harmonische Seelenlust in the works of his contemporaries. Kauffmann devised a specific system of registration for specific genres of works that are adaptable to his own works that were not supplied with registration, and to the works of his contemporaries.