Michael Praetorius

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Michael Praetorius (probably February 15, 1571 – February 15, 1621) was a German composer, organist, and writer about music. He was one of the most versatile composers of his age, being particularly significant in the development of musical forms based on Protestant hymns.

Contents 1 Life 2 Name 3 Works 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Life

He was born Michael Schultze, the youngest son of a Lutheran pastor, in Creuzburg, Thuringia. After attending school in Torgau and Zerbst, he studied divinity at the University of Frankfurt (Oder). He served as organist at the Marienkirche in Frankfurt before working at the court in Wolfenbüttel as organist and (from 1604) as Kapellmeister. From 1613 to 1616 he worked at the Saxon court at Dresden, where he was exposed to the latest Italian music, including the polychoral works of the Venetian School. His subsequent development of the form of the chorale concerto, particularly the polychoral variety, resulted directly from his familiarity with the music of such Venetians as Giovanni Gabrieli. Michael Praetorius is entombed in a vault beneath the organ of St Mary's Church in Wolfenbüttel, Germany.

Lutheranism
Luther's Seal
Book of Concord Apostles' Creed Nicene Creed Athanasian Creed Augsburg Confession Apology of the Augsburg Confession Smalcald Articles Luther's Small Catechism Luther's Large Catechism Formula of Concord
Word & Sacrament Justification Law and Gospel Sola gratia Sola scriptura Baptism Infant Baptism Lord's Supper Eucharist Sacramental union Confession Absolution Christology Sanctification Two Kingdoms Priesthood of all believers Divine Providence Theology of the Cross
Liturgy & Worship Divine Service Matins Vespers Easter Vigil Agenda Cantata Chorale Chorale prelude Common table prayer Confirmation Hymn of the day Postil Deutsche Messe Liturgical Calendar Sign of the Cross
Hymnody & Music A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands God's Word Is Our Great Heritage How Great Thou Art How Lovely Shines the Morning Star Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming In Thee alone, O Christ, my Lord O Lord, Look Down from Heaven Now Thank We All Our God O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Passion Hymns Passion music Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying Johann Sebastian Bach Dieterich Buxtehude Johann Crüger Paul Gerhardt Johann Heermann Felix Mendelssohn Johann Pachelbel Hallgrímur Pétursson Michael Praetorius Johann von Rist Johann Walter Catherine Winkworth
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[edit] Name

His family name in German appears in various forms including Schultze, Schulte, Schultheiss, Schulz and Schulteis. Praetorius is the Latinized form of the family name.

[edit] Works

Praetorius was a tremendously prolific composer, with his music showing the influence of Italian composers as well as his younger contemporary Heinrich Schütz. His works include the nine volume Musae sioniae (1605–10), a collection of over a thousand chorale and song arrangements; many other works for the Lutheran church; and Terpsichore (1612), a compendium of over 300 instrumental dances, which is both his most widely-known work, as well as his sole surviving secular work. His three volume treatise Syntagma Musicum, published between 1614–20 (including de Organographia at the end of volume II), are detailed texts on contemporary musical practices and musical instruments, and are important documents in musicology, organology and the field of authentic performance.

[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Syntagma Musicum Theatrum Instrumentorum seu Sciagraphia Wolfenbüttel 1620

• Cornett
• Tenor cornett
• Crumhorn
• Recorder
• Shawm
• Sackbut
• Trombone

[edit] References

• Denis Arnold (editor), (1983), New Oxford Companion to Music, Oxford University Press. (Article by editor.)
• Jeffery T. Kite-Powell (translator and editor), (2004) Syntagma Musicum III: Termini musici (Wolfenbüttel, 1619) Oxford University Press.
• Stephan Perreau (1996). Liner notes to Praetorius: Dances from Terpsichore. Naxos 8.553865.

[edit] External links

• Free scores by Michael Praetorius in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• Free scores by Michael Praetorius in the Werner Icking Music Archive (WIMA)
• Free scores by Michael Praetorius in the International Music Score Library Project
• Michael Praetorius, biography on Goldberg, the Early Music Portal.
• Michael Pratorius - facsimiles in The Royal Library, Copenhagen
• Listen to free Vocal Evangelical Church Music by Michael Praetorius at "Early Vocal Music Map" from Umeå Akademiska Kör.