Michael Altenburg

Michael Altenburg ( born May 27, 1584 Alach at Erfurt, † February 12, 1640 in Erfurt, Germany ) was a German theologian and composer. He is the creator of popular hymn tunes and as their agent in contemporary music forms of meaning.

Life

Michael Altenburg was the son of the smith Ulrich Altenburg, was born in Erfurt, where he attended the Council School. 1601 Altenburg was cantor at St. Andrew's Church, studied theology and in 1607 to 1602 Rector of Erfurt controller school. In 1609 he gave up teaching and became a minister in Ilversgehofen and Marbach near Erfurt until 1610. From 1610 to 1622 was followed by a pastorate in Tröchtelborn, since the beginning of 1622 in Great - Sömmerda. In Tröchtelborn he found appear before a powerful choir, which he developed and for which he composed most of his pieces; from here penetrated his musical fame to the country so that he Michael Praetorius entrusted the musical education of his sons.

The approaching end horrors of the Thirty Years' War prevented Altenburg to other compositions. He and his family suffered troops by marches, billeting and looting. His church has been drastically reduced by the plague, his wife Catherine and ten of his 13 children died. He fled from the fighting back to Erfurt, where he was a deacon at the Augustinians in 1637 and since 1638 pastor of St. Andrew's Church.

Works

Altenburg is music history, especially as the inventor of hymn tunes and as their agent in contemporary music forms of importance, especially in the polyphonic style of the 16th century. Altenburg's most famous songs are:

  • From Jacobs tribe a star very clear
  • Jeez, now the sky Schleuss on
  • Lord God Father, I believe in you
  • Jesus, God's lamb
  • Do not be dismayed, O little flock
  • What God does is well done, no man can only blame him.

Probably Altenburg is not only the composer but also the author of these songs. It is disputed whether Altenburg author and composer of the song Do not lose heart, ye men is small, because it was sung in the Swedish army before the battle of Lutzen, as Gustavus Adolphus swan song is known.

  • Passion according to Isaiah 53 for eight voices. Erfurt, 1608
  • Wedding Motets for seven voices. Erfurt, 1613
  • Gaudium Christianum. Jena, 1617
  • Musical shield and buckler of citizens, etc., or the 55th Psalm for Six Voices. Erfurt, 1618
  • Cantiones de adventu. Erfurt, 1620
  • First Part Newer Lovable VND Petite Intraden for six voices. Erfurt, 1620
  • Christian sweet and devout new churches and house songs for five, six and eight voices. 3 parts. Erfurt, 1620-21
  • Cantiones de adventu for five, six and eight voices. Erfurt, 1621
  • Musical Christmas and New Year ornament for four to nine votes. Erfurt, 1621
  • Musical fixed structure for five to fourteen votes. Four parts (only three and four receive ). Erfurt, 1623
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