Johann Christoph Altnickol

Johann Christoph Altnikol was a German organist and composer who is known mostly because of his marriage to Elisabeth Bach, Johann Sebastian's daughter. His life is an interesting read as he parleyed for a number of positions, aided by the help and recommendation of Bach. He was in close association with the family throughout his life but his compositions were few and for the most part they have been ignored. J. S. Bach spoke well of Altnikol's compositions and his organ adeptness; however, credited and remaining works are few. Reference is made to a cacaphonous "Magnificat" and a pupil of his was Johann Ernst Altenburg. If Altnikol had not had these connections it is difficult to assess how posterity would remember him. ~ Keith Johnson