Schemellis Gesangbuch

In 1736, Georg Christian Schemelli published Musicalisches Gesang-Buch in Leipzig, a collection of 954 sacred songs.

[1] The full title reads "Musicalisches Gesang-Buch, Darinnen 954 geistreiche, sowohl alte als neue Lieder und Arien, mit wohlgesetzten Melodien, in Discant und Baß, befindlich sind: Vornehmlich denen Evangelischen Gemeinen im Stifte Naumburg-Zeitz gewidmet" (Musical song book, with 954 spirited, both old as new songs and arias, with well-composed melodies in soprano and bass, in it: mostly dedicated to the Protestant parishioners in the Stift Naumburg-Zeitz).

The texts were written in the tradition of pietism, and were probably intended for private contemplation.

[1][3] Johann Sebastian Bach contributed to the collection, but musicologists debate to what extent.

Schemelli's son Christian Friedrich was a student of the Thomasschule from 1733 to 1735, and later studied at the Leipzig University, which explains the contact.