Kauffmann was perhaps the best German contemporary of J.S.Bach. He studied keyboard music with Buttstett in Erfurt and keyboard and composition with Alberti in Merseberg. In 1698 he was Alberti's second as cathedral organist due to a debilitating injury to Alberti's right hand. In 1710 Kauffmann became the cathedral organist upon Alberti's death and probably served as the Kapellmeister as well. A great many of his compositions were copied while he was in Merseberg. The people who copied a number of the works were acquaintances of Bach so it is certain that they were familiar with each others music. Kauffmann was in competition with Bach for the Kantorship in Leipzig, as were others, but eventually the position went to Bach. The writing of a pedagogical treatise by Kauffmann adds to his contributions in the corpus of the history of music. "Introduzzione alla musica antica et moderna, das ist: Eine ausfuhrliche Einleitung zur alten und neuen Wissenschaft der edlen Music" addressed general and specific rules for composing in the old and the new style. His second, and perhaps most important contribution was the "Harmonische Seelenlust." It was a collection of organ chorale preludes, the first to be accomplished since 1624. It was incomplete upon his death but finished at the expense of his wife with latter contributions by Walther and Zachow. At first it was not well-received but eventually became an important contribution to German organ music; it was utilized well into the nineteenth century. The work was characterized by its inclusion of ninety eight preludes that are short in length, use duets and short fughal themes, clear and concise directions, elaborate embellishments, and interesting dissonances and progressions. Kauffmann also used short musical phrases in his vocal compositions, rhythmic liveliness, little multi-voiced elaboration, and regular use of recitatives and arias. The former were stylistically smooth and the latter demonstrated an understanding of proportionality as well as engaging thematic devices. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi