Background
Karl Ludwig Gerok was born in Oberfischach, the grandson of Karl von Gerok, a Stuttgart prelate and preacher (Oberhofprediger) at the Schlosskirche, the court church of the Stuttgart palace, and the author of Palmblätter.
Karl Ludwig Gerok was born in Oberfischach, the grandson of Karl von Gerok, a Stuttgart prelate and preacher (Oberhofprediger) at the Schlosskirche, the court church of the Stuttgart palace, and the author of Palmblätter.
Karl Ludwig Gerok studied organ at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart under organist Arnold Strebel and then with Karl Straube in Leipzig.
From 1930, Gerok was cathedral organist in Halberstadt. Among his students were composer Edgar Rabsch (de) (1928–1990) as well as Helmuth Rilling. He was the author of the standard work Lehrgang der Orgelimprovisation (Course of organ improvisation, 1976).
From 1948, Gerok was organist at Markuskirche (Stuttgart) and from 1958 to 1969 served as organist of the collegiate church Stiftskirche, Stuttgart.
During this time he was also a significant contributor and editor of the collection Württembergisches Choralbuch, which includes 15 chorale preludes on hymns such as "Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu director", "Herzliebster Jesu" and "Gelobt science Gott im höchsten Thron". Gerok died in Murrhardt where he is buried on the Walterichsfriedhof.
1. Geburtstag.