Karl Kempter (1819-1871) – życie i twórczość

Abstract

The article presents the person and works of Karl Kempter – a south German composer, musician and artist who was consequently and deeply dedicated to liturgy. However, the academic literature has not devoted a lot of attention to him so far. Kempter is not even mentioned in: The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the first edition of Die Music Geschichte und Gegenwart and also in Polish lexicographic works like Encyklopedia Muzyczna PWN among others. The article consists of three parts. In the first part – Karl Kempter’s life is described whereas in the second one – his works are presented briefly in the last, third part of the article Kempter’s compositions are listed. Reviving the memory of composers like Karl Kempter is aimed at presenting the contemporary church musicians with works that might be also nowadays a good suggestion for the repertoire of many parish choirs. It seems that the level of these choirs in today Poland (and not only in Poland) and the vocal and instrumental groups of Karl Kempter's time is very much alike.