Inventor Name
Gerber, Heinrich Nikolaus
Repository
Princeton University
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08544
609-258-6345
http://www.princeton.edu/~mudd/finding_aids/
Physical Description
1 v. (62 leaves); 33 cm.
Summary
Musical commonplace book, compiled and written by Gerber, a student of Johann Sebastian Bach at Leipzig. According to the biographical account by his son, Gerber returned to his home in 1727 and set down many of the things he had learned at Leipzig, as well as his own compositions. Includes two organ specifications (front flyleaf and back flyleaf), possibly for the organ at Leipzig. Heinrich Nikolaus Gerber, 1702-1775, was court organist at Sondershausen from 1731 until his death in 1775. During this time he composed music for the clavier, organ, and harp. He also made musical instruments. Among his inventions was a xylophone played from a keyboard.