The composer and musician Christoph Graupner, an important contemporary of Bach, was born on January 13, 1683 in Kirchberg.

Christoph Graupner began studying music with his uncle, the organist Nicolaus Küster. When Küster moved from Kirchberg to Reichenbach to take up an organ position, Graupner argued with his parents until they consented to allow him to accompany his uncle. He spent the following years completing his musical instruction with his uncle, after which he moved to Leipzig to begin studies at the Thomas School . In 1703 he enrolled at the University of Leipzig as a student of law.  The troubling climate of war in 1706 prompted Graupner to move to Hamburg , where he composed and performed his first works for harpsichord at the Gänsemarkt.  While in Hamburg he also composed many operas.  In 1709 he moved to Darmstadt to take up the position of court organist.  He premiered his work “Telemark” in the newly-renovated opera house, and married the pastor´s daughter, Elisabeth Eckhardt.

Graupner and his work came to dominate musical life at the Churches of Darmstadt.  He elevated theatre music to new levels, producing world-renowned works. In 1722 Christoph Graupner applied for a job as the leader of the Thomas Church of Leipzig.  He won the position, beating Johann Sebastian Bach, among other competitors.  He was unable to take the position at the Thomas Church, however, as it was in breach of his contract with his patron in Darmstadt , the Earl Ernst Ludwig.  Ernst Ludwig increased Graupner´s salary, thus persuading the composer to remain in Darmstadt and to forgo the position in Leipzig .  Graupner lived the rest of his life in Darmstadt ; when he died he was buried in a ceremony of princely honour.  In the last years of his life he lost his eyesight, and was unable to finish some of his later compositions.  His works, both finished and unfinished, provide us with a record of the remarkable life and accomplishments of the composer.  It is our duty to keep them. 

Christoph Graupner´s works:

10 operas (3 of them complete)

33 sonatas

43 concerts

96 overtures

113 symphonies