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Bernhard Dieterich Ludewig (Organ, Copyist, Bach's Pupil)

Born: November 7, 1707 - Thonhausen, near Ronneburg, about 50 km south of Leipzig, Thuringia, Germany
Died: Februaty 27, 1740 - Schmölln, Thuringia, Germany

Bernhard Dieterich [Dietrich] Ludewig was a German organist. He was born tyhe son of Andreas Ludewig (Pastor in Thonhausen, near Schmölln. He attended the Gymnasium in Altenburg; and in 1731 enrolled at the University of Leipzig (enrollment on June 19, 1731), where he studied theology. He was one of J.S. Bach's pupils from 1731 to 1737. He also acted as tutor to J.S. Bach's young children. J.S. Bach provided testimonials for him on March 4, 1737 and in October 1737, in which he referred to Ludewig's capabilities in singing well and playing various instruments and to his participation in the activities of J.S. Bach's Collegium musicum in 1731-1738, and was one of his copyists 1735-1736. He is identified in J.S. Bach's manusripts as Anon. Vp.

B.D. Ludewig was unsuccesful in his applications for posts at Löbau and Zörbig, but on March 31, 1738 he was appointed town organist at Schmölln, not far from his native village. He died two years later, at the age of 32. He was succeeded in this post by another J.S. Bach's pupil, Gottlieb Daniel Naumann.

Bernhard Dieterich Ludewig's lessons with J.S. Bach are documented by the Schmölln's employment documents including a J.S. Bach certificate (1737/1738). Another testimony also mentions Ludewig's involvement in the Collegium Musicum and church music, as well as his work as a tutor (informator) for J.S. Bach's children. It can be concluded from the parallel case of Johann Elias Bach (B-32) that he also had the function of a private secretary.

References: Koska: A-28; VIAF: 107152742985227732199; Bach Digital: 00003504

Works of Bach he copied [Manuscript No. in Bach Digital / Work / Performance date]

D-B Mus.ms. 1160: Giovanni Battista Bassani: Acroama Missale (6 Messen), BNB I/B/48; BWV 1081 [Original source]
D-B Mus.ms. Bach P 225 [2. Notenbüchlein der A. M. Bach, 1725]: BWV 515, BWV Anh. 13 (= Warb A 22) [Original source]
D-B Mus.ms. Bach St 80, Faszikel 1: BWV 206 [Oct 1736]
D-B Mus.ms. Bach St 110, Faszikel 1: BWV 244 (Mvt. 29 = BWV 245.2/1, in E) [30.3.1736]

 

Sources: :
1. Oxford Composer Companions J.S. Bach (Editor: Malcolm Boyd, OUP, 1999)
2. fine-print footnotes in the Bach-Dokumente
3. Bernd Koska: Bachs Privatschüler in Bach-Jahrbuch 2019, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2020)
4. Bach Digital Website (May 2019)
Contributed by
Aryeh Oron (June 2014, May 2020); Thomas Braatz (January 2011)

Links to other Sites

Ludewig, Bernhard Dietrich (Bach digital)

Bibliography

Sources: Q/L: Dok I, Nr. 73, 74; Dok II, Nr. 414, 414a; Dok V, Nr. B 395a; Löffler 1936, S. 113; Löffler 1953, Nr. 34; Schulze BachÜberlieferung, S. 108f.; Thüringer Pfarrerbuch, hrsg. von der Gesellschaft für Thüringische Kirchengeschichte, Bd. VI: Das Herzogtum Sachsen-Altenburg, Nr. 1223; BJ 2002, S. 33–36 (P. Wollny); NBA IX/3, Nr. 208

Bach's Pupils: List of Bach's Pupils | Actual and Potential Non-Thomaner Singers and Players who participated in Bach’s Figural Music in Leipzig | Alumni of the Thomasschule in Leipzig during Bach's Tenure | List of Bach's Private Pupils | List of Bach's Copyists
Thomanerchor Leipzig: Short History | Members: 1729 | 1730 | 1731 | 1740-1741 | 1744-1745 | Modern Times
Bach’s Pupils Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2
Articles: Organizional Structure of the Thomasschule in Leipzig | The Rules Established for the Thomasschule by a Noble and Very Wise Leipzig City Council - Printed by Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf Leipzig, 1733 | Homage Works for Thomas School Rectors


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