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Jacob Ernst Hübner was a German composer and organist. He probably was J.S. Bach's pupil in Leipzig. He stayed in Leipzig, Gera and Pegau. From 1726 he worked as organist in Waldenburg; from 1733 as organist and town musician in Muskau; 1737 unsuccessful application as organist in Löbau. Further whereabouts unknown.
When Hübner finished his studies, J.S. Bach wrote a testimonial on his behalf:
"Since by special request the bearer of this, Mr. Jacob Ernst Hübner from Löbau, has asked die undersigned to furnish him with written testimony conceming his proficiency in music, especially on the keyboard, I did not want to decline such a just demand but fairly state that he is in good command of the fundaments (those panicularly required) for the organist's service. The examples of proof that he has given me were fully satisfactory. In his possible future advancement, no doubt he will, with further work at the organ, show his ability to new advantage and demonstrate the present testimony ro represent nothing but the truth. Written at Leipzig, July 20, 1726.
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Princely Anhalt-Cöthent Capellmeister.
also Direct. Chori Musici at Leipzig,
and Cantor at S. Thomas"
Jacob Ernst Hübner was undoubtedly one of the most important artists in Waldenburg and the surrounding area. Perhaps he also played the Glauchau Silbermann organ at festive occasions on behalf of the Counts of Schönburg, as reported by Johann Nikolaus Krauser from Ponitz. Hübner, however, was only able to hold the office perceive for a short time: from a "Resolvendum" of the government director Dr. Nitsche went to Count Christian Heinrich von Schönburg shows that the pipe maker Johann Christian Voigt already over half a year Year "bey ... the absence of the melancholic organist so far, Hübners ", who would have left his wife and children, is on duty. Voigt (1733) was officially appointed as the successor. After his recovery, Hübner is said to have taken on an organist position in the Muskau estate.
Nevertheless, the human fate of this highly gifted man remains tragic, like this mutatis at about the same time in Schönburg mutandis also for the carpenter and organ builder Georg Eger (Mülsen St. Niclas), the girl teacher Johann Gottfried Heimer (Glauchau) and the Schoolmaster substitutes Christoph Heinrich Wencke (Gesau) is. Especially with regard to Jacob Ernst Hübner, however, full word from Ferdinand Ries recalls: “You can talk about tall men say everything, it doesn't harm them."
J.S. Bach's testimony for Hübner from 1726 only refers to his "in Musicis besonders auf dem Claviere habenden profectuum" (having progress in musical instruments especially on the keyboard)" and the "bey mir abgelegten Specimina" (Specimen left with me). That this was preceded by a lesson is easily possible, but cannot be clearly proven.
References: Koska: B-11; Bach Digital: 00006551 |
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Sources:
1. The New Bach Reader: A Life of Johann Sebastian Bach in Letters and Documents by Christoph Wolff, Arthur Mendel, Hans T. David (W.W. Norton & Company, 1999)
2. Bach-Jahrbuch 1988, English translation by Aryeh Oron (February 2020)
3. Bernd Koska: Bachs Privatschüler in Bach-Jahrbuch 2019, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2020)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2020, May 2020) |
