Carlmann Kolb

Who was Carlmann Kolb?

Carlmann Kolb was a German priest, organist, and composer.

He was born in Kösslarn, Griesbach, Lower Bavaria, and educated in Asbach and Landshut. He was ordained a priest in 1729 at the Benedictine Abbey of Asbach, and was also appointed organist there. He acted as tutor to the family of the Count of Tattenbach-Reinstein in Munich, and received his patronage. He died in Munich.

His known works are the Sinfonia in F major for harpsichord and strings, which is lost, and the Certamen aonium, composed of a prelude, three verses in the form of short fughettas and a cadenza on each of the church modes. From this collection, his reputation has been established as one of the best organ composers of the South German school of his time. The style shows influence by Franz Xaver Murschhauser and Gottlieb Muffat. Modern editions have been published in Altötting, 1959, ed. R. Walter, and Heidelberg, 1960.