Jon Gallant wrote:

>Does anyone know anything about a Bach contemporary named Johann Mattheson?

Mattheson (1681-1764) may have been a contemporary of Bach, but he perhaps
more famously known as a friend and good buddy to one Georg Friedrich
Handel in their younger days, before Handel left Germany to make his mark
in Italy.

Perhaps the most famous story about them (told by Mattheson himself) is
that of a duel they fought after an argument during the performance of an
opera of Mattheson's, where Handel was playing the harpsichord continuo.
The duel ended when Mattheson's sword shattered when thrust upon a metal
button on Handel's coat (they were reconciled).  Close call for the music
world!

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Mattheson's music, so will leave to others
any discussion on that.

Bill H.