Andreas Hofer (composer)

Andreas Hofer ( * 1628 or 1629 in Reichenhall, Bad Reichenhall today, † February 25, 1684 in Salzburg) was a composer and Kapellmeister in Salzburg.

The musicologist Charles Weinmann 1918 could prove through his research that Andreas Hofer not, as hitherto assumed, came from Styria, but from Reichenhall.

Life

Andreas Hofer was born in Reichenhall in Bavaria in 1628 or 1629. 1643 he took the theology studies at the University of Salzburg and received at the same time his musical education, probably by the Kapellmeister Abraham Megerle. Hofer took over in 1651 the post of organist at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Lambrecht in Styria. On June 12, 1653 and was ordained a priest. On his return to Salzburg, the Archbishop appointed him in 1654 as Vice- Kapellmeister and choral vicar. On January 12, 1679 him Archbishop Max Gandolph Count of Kuenburg appointed Kapellmeister.

Hofer is a composer an important representative of polychoric vocal-instrumental church style of the 17th century. He was able to consolidate his works the reputation of internationally renowned Salzburg court orchestra. Andreas Hofer, together with Megerle pioneered the heyday John Cage Music care at Salzburg Cathedral. His style of composition was increased by his successor Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber in the famous 53 -voice Missa Salisburgensis into Oversized. The assumption that Hofer could be the creator of this work, has not been confirmed.

Andreas Hofer died on February 25, 1684 in Salzburg and was buried in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in the side chapel at the Rupertuspark grave.