Historical Publication Info
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 Plate | Composer | Work | IMSLP # | Full Year | Year |
|---|
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))
