Gottfried Reiche

Baroque Trumpeter and Composer

German trumpet player and composer of the Baroque era (5 February 1667 – 6 October 1734). He is best known for having been Johann Sebastian Bach's chief trumpeter at Leipzig from Bach's arrival there in 1723 until Reiche's death. Reiche was steeped in trumpet playing from an early age -- he was born in the town of Weissenfels, which had a long tradition of trumpet music at its court. He went to Leipzig in 1688, eventually succeeding trumpeter Johann C. Genzmer there as Senior Stadtmusicus in 1719. Gottfried Reiche was the first performer of many trumpet parts in J.S. Bach's cantatas and other works. He was a musician of great skill, if one can judge from the trumpet parts written for him by J.S. Bach. They are among the most florid, creative, and difficult trumpet parts of the Baroque, quite clearly intended for a player of great virtuosity.