Balthasar Schmid

Contents

History

Balthasar Schmid (1705-1749) was well-known in the first half of the 18th century as an engraver and printer of highly accurate and aesthetically pleasing prints, as well as a composer of some note. His activities as engraver are first mentioned in 1726, but it was from 1735 until his death that he made his reputation; Mattheson, among others, praised both his organ playing and his engraving (Grundlage einer Ehren-Pforte, 1740). After his death, the firm was run by his widow, and later by their son Johann Michael Schmidt (1741-1793).
Schmid engraved works by almost all of the most important north German figures of the day: Telemann, C.P.E. Bach, Marpurg, Krebs, Sorge, and Nichelmann. His best-known works however, are his engravings of J.S. Bach: the first editions of Clavier-Übung IV and the Canonic Variations on Von Himmel Hoch are the work of Schmid. Notably, he was an innovator in numbering his catalogue, making chronology possible for several of these compositions, which otherwise might have been impossible.

Early editions tend to use a catalog number in Arabic numerals on the title-page only, later editions use a plate number in Roman numerals at the foot of each page. Some larger publications do not have a plate number (e.g. Telemann's Musicalisches Lob Gottes, and Schmid's own Nürnbergische alte und neue Kirchen-Lieder). Most editions do not carry a date (one exception being Anna Bon's Op.2)

Editions

See: Scores published by Balthasar Schmid


Imprints, Agencies, Addresses

  • Verlegt u. zu finden bey Balthasar Schmidt, Organist u. Kupfferstecher in Nürnberg
  • verlegt und zu finden bey Balth Schmid in Nürnberg
  • Nürnberg in Verlegung Balth: Schmids
  • alle spese di Balthas. Schmid Norimb.
  • alle spese della vedova di Balthas. Schmid Norimb. [after 1749]
  • Balthasar Schmid seel. Wittib
  • In Verlag beÿ Balthaser Schmids Wittib in Nürnberg
  • Im Verlag Balthasar Schmids Erben in Nürnberg
  • In Kupfer gestochen und zu haben beÿ Johan Michael Schmidt, in Nürnberg

Plate Numbers

Plate Composer Work Year
6 Sorge 24 Sonatinas 'Clavier Übung', Part 1
12 Sorge 24 Sonatinas 'Clavier Übung', Part 2
16 Bach Goldberg-Variationen, BWV 988 [1741]
17 Telemann 6 Overtures for Clavier, TWV 32:5-10
20 Bach 6 Harpsichord Sonatas, Wq.48 [1742]
22 Sorge 24 Sonatinas 'Clavier Übung', Part 3
XXII. P.II. Tischer Musicalische Zwillinge, Part 2
XXVII Bach Harpsichord Concerto in D major, H.414 1745
XXVIII Bach Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her, BWV 769 [1747]
XXIX Sorge 12 Keyboard Sonatas, Lieferung 1
XXXI Foltmar 6 Morquien
XXXII Sorge Sonatinen, Fantasien, Toccatinen und Sinfonien vors Clavier, Erste Herausgabe
XXXIII Bach Trio Sonata in C minor, H.579, and Trio Sonata in B-flat major, H.578
XXXVI Krebs Clavier-Übung I, Krebs-WV 500-512
XXXVII Bach Harpsichord Concerto in B-flat major, H.429
XXXXV Tischer Wehklagendes Kyrie und frohlockendes Halleluja
XXXXIX Bon 6 Harpsichord Sonatas, Op.2 1757
LV Agrell Harpsichord Concerto in D major
LVII Agrell Sonata for Harpsichord and Flute in D major
Plate #Full PlateComposerWorkIMSLP #Full YearYear

Sources Consulted

  • 1. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, edited by Stanley Sadie.
New York and London: Macmillan Publications, 1980.

Authority control

  • VIAF (Schmid, Balthasar, 1705-1749)
  • VIAF (Balthasar Schmid (Firma))