François-Joseph Krafft

Biography

Life and education 

François-Joseph Krafft lived in Brussels. It is generally believed that he was a choirboy in the choir of St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent and that he possibly studied in Italy under Durante. In 1769, he was appointed as the kapellmeister of the St.Bavo’s Cathedral, a function which he would continue to fulfill until 1794. In addition to this, in 1772, he was asked to reside at an organ and carillon competition in Mechelen. 

Composer 

François-Joseph Krafft was esteemed as a composer from 1758 on, when the Liége music magazine L’Echo published about thirty arias from his opera Le faux astrologue. In 1763, this opera was also performed in Dutch as Den valschen astrologant. In addition to this, Krafft mostly wrote religious music which, thanks to his good reputation in the Austrian Netherlands, was heard in many churches such as Antwerp, Mons, Brussels, Ghent, Herentals, Courtrai and Louvain from 1760 onwards. 

Who’s who? 

Not a lot is known about the career of François-Joseph Krafft, which likely has something to do with the confusion which surrounds his identity. Consequently, it is uncertain whether the recorded information on Frans Krafft concerns the composer born in 1721, or his younger brother born in 1729. To add to this, the brothers also have an eponymous nephew who was born in 1733. 

Choral works (selection)

1763. Opera Le faux astrologue or Den valschen Astrologant 

3 Motetta:

• Eripe me. A minor, for soprano and strings,
• Ecce Panis. G major for soloist, mixed choir and organ.
• Benedicamus Domino. C major, mixed choir.

1793. 7 Antiphonae pro tempore Adventus ('O-Antifonen'), for mixed choir and organ.

• O Sapientia
• O Adonai
• O Radix Jesse
• O Clavis David
• O Oriens
• O Rex Gentium
• O Emmanuel

Psalm motets

• De Profundis
• Levavi oculos meos
• Bavonem socio (Hymn for the eve party at St. Bavo’s). D major, mixed choir and basso continuo. 

• Et vos beata (Hymn for All Saint’s Day). D major, mixed choir and basso continuo. 
• Jesu redemptor omnium (Hymne for Christmas Eve). C major, mixed choir and basso continuo. 
• 3 Magnificats. C major, F major, G major, mixed choir and organ. 
• Mass in F. Mixed choir, organ and serpent. 
• Missa a tre canti primae classis. Three soloists, mixed choir and basso continuo. 
• 1765: Missa di Requiem. Eb major, mixed choir and organ.
• Missa in Sabbato Sancto. G major, mixed choir and organ.
• Mass in g minor. Mixed choir and organ. 
• Motet Beatus Vir. D major, four soloists, mixed choir and orchestra. 
• Super flumina Babylonis. G minor, for soloists, mixed choir, strings and basso continuo. 
• Tu lumen et splendor (Hymn for Christmas Eve). D majeur, mixed choir and organ.