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Michael Praetorius
Born: February 15, 1571; Creuzburg an der Werra, Germany   Died: February 15, 1621; Wolfenbüttel, Germany  
Michael Praetorius was not only one of the most versatile and prolific German composers of the early seventeenth century (only the remarkable, slightly younger Heinrich Schütz is of comparable importance) but also the author of Syntagma musicum, a historically significant theoretical treatise on music. The exact year of Praetorius' birth remains unknown; February 15, 1571, is the generally accepted date, selected on the basis of two contemporary ...
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Featured Michael Praetorius CDs & DVDs:
Praetorius: In Dulci Jubilo / Marlow, Trinity College Choir
Release Date: 07/16/1996   Label: Conifer   Catalog: 51256   Number of Discs: 1
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Most Popular Works
Musae Sioniae: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen (181)
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (15)
In dulci jubilo (41)
Works
Als der gütige Gott (1)
A solis ortus cardine (3)
Ach mein Herre, straf mich doch nicht (2)
Allein Gott inn der Höh sey Ehr (3)
Als Christus geboren war (1)
Alvus tumescit virginis (2)
Audite Silete (1)
Audite, silete (1)
Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (3)
Ballet (Terpsichore, 273 incerti) (1)
Ballet a 4 (Terpischore 268a) (1)
Benedicamus Domino (1)
Bransle double (2)
Bransle gay (2)
Bransle gentil (1)
Bransle gentil (1)
Christ ist erstanden (1)
Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam (2)
Christus, der uns selig macht (1)
Come, thou Redeemer of the Earth (9)
Conditor alme siderum (1)
Courante (2)
Courante (Terpsichore, 183 incerti) (1)
Courante de la Volte (1)
Dances from Terpsichore: Ballet (1)
Dances from Terpsichore: Fastnachtstanz & Feuertanz (1)
Dances from Terpsichore: Hahnentanz (1)
Dances from Terpsichore: Introduction & Courante (1)
Dances from Terpsichore: Spagnoletta & Bourrée (1)
Dances from Terpsichore: Suite of Gavottes (1)
Dances from Terpsichore: Tanz der Fischer & der Bauerinnen (1)
Dans une étable obscure (1)
David's Psalm 116 (2)
Den die Hirten lobeten sehre (2)
Den die Hirten lobeten sehre (1)
Deo laus et gloria (1)
Der Morgenstern ist aufgedrungen (7)
Der Spiegel der Dreifaltigkeit, a 4 (1)
Der tag vertreibt die finster nacht (1)
Ecce Maria (1)
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (1)
Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem (2)
Ein Kindelein so löbelich (1)
Enatus est Emanuel (1)
Enatus est Emanuel (5)
Erhalt uns, Herr bei deinem Wort (1)
Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen (1)
Exsultemus adiutori nostro (1)
Fundamenta tenet mundi (1)
Gaillarde, for ensemble (Terpsichore, 304) (1)
Gavotte (1)
Gelobet seist du, Jesus Christ (2)
Gelobet und gepreiset (1)
Gott der Vater wohn uns bei (1)
Hamelin Gigue (1)
Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, song (2)
Hosianna (3)
Hört zu ihr lieben Leute (1)
In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr (3)
In dulci jubilo (43)
In dulci jubilo à 2 (2)
In dulci jubilo à 3 (1)
In dulci jubilo à 4 (1)
In dulci jubilo à 4 (2)
In Dulci Jubilo, for chorus & ensemble (from the Polyhymnia caduceatrix) (3)
In Natali Domini (1)
Jesaia, dem Propheten, das geschah (1)
Joseph, lieber Joseph mein (7)
Jubilate Domino (2)
Jubilate Domino (from Musae Sioniae) (2)
Jubiliret fröhlich (1)
La Bourrée (Terpischore, 32) (1)
Magnificat (7)
Magnificat super "Angelus ad pastores" (1)
Magnificat super "Ecce Maria" (2)
Maria Magdalena (1)
Meine Seel erhebt den Herren (5)
Missodia Sionia: Der Herr segne dich und behüte dich (1)
Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin (3)
Musae Sioniae, Bk 7: Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her (7)
Musae Sioniae, Book 5: Der Morgenstern ist aufgedrungen (2)
Musae Sioniae, Book 5: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 5: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 6: Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 6: Psallite unigenito (2)
Musae Sioniae, Book 6: Puer nobis nascitur (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 6: Singt und klingt (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 6: Uns ist ein Kindlein heut geborn (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 8 : Excerpt(s) (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 8: Der Herr sei mit euch (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 8: Herzlich lieb' hab' ich dich (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 8: Hört auf mit Weinen und Klagen (1)
Musae Sioniae, Book 8: Mit Fried' und Freud' ich fahr' dahin (1)
Musae Sioniae: Dies sind die heiligen zehn Gebot (1)
Musae Sioniae: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen (185)
Musae Sioniae: Vom Himmel kommt (1)
Nach grüner Farb mein Herz verlangt (1)
Nach grüner Farb mein Herz verlangt, song (1)
Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist (1)
Nun helft mir (2)
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (11)
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland a 6 (1)
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland: Lob sei Gott dem Vater g'tan (2)
Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren (5)
Nun singet und seit froh, for chorus (1)
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig (1)
O lux beata Trinitas (1)
O lux beata Trinitas (1)
Omnis mundus jocundetur (5)
Packington's Pound (1)
Pass'e mezzo (1)
Passameze, for ensemble (Terpsichore, 283) (1)
Pavane d'Espagne (1)
Pavane d'Espagne (1)
Peccavi fateor (1)
Peccavi fateor (2)
Philov (1)
Polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica: 4 Motets (1)
Polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica: Jesaja dem Propheten das geschah (1)
Polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica: Missa gantz Teudsch - Gloria (3)
Polyhymnia caduceatrix et panegyrica: Missa gantz Teudsch - Kyrie (2)
Psallite unigenito (11)
Psallite unigenito, motet (1)
Puer natus in Bethlehem (16)
Puer nobis nascitur (3)
Puer nobis nascitur, hymn (1)
Pueri nostri, concinite (2)
Quem pastores (10)
Resonet in laudibus (8)
Resonet in laudibus a 7 (Eulogodia Sionia, 1611), motet (1)
Salve Regina (1)
Salve Rex noster (1)
Siehe, wie fein und lieblich (1)
Singet und klinget, ihr Kinderlein (4)
Singt ihr lieben Christen all! (2)
So schreibt der heilig Propheten Jesajas (1)
So schreibt der heilige Lukas (1)
Spagnoletta (Terpischore, 27) (1)
Suite Française (1)
Summo Parenti gloria (1)
Te mane laudum carmine (1)
Terpsichore (3)
Terpsichore Dances: Ballet de Coqs (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Bralse (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Bransle (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Bransle Gentil (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Courante (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Passameze (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Passemeze (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Philov (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Volta du tambour (1)
Terpsichore Dances: Volte (1)
Terpsichore: Ballet (3)
Terpsichore: Ballet de Grenouille (1)
Terpsichore: Ballet de la comedie (1)
Terpsichore: Ballet des Amazones (1)
Terpsichore: Ballet des Anglois (1)
Terpsichore: Ballet des cocqs (7)
Terpsichore: Ballet des feus (1)
Terpsichore: Ballet des feux (3)
Terpsichore: Ballet du Roy (2)
Terpsichore: Ballets des matelots (1)
Terpsichore: Balletto(s) (4)
Terpsichore: Bourée(s) (1)
Terpsichore: Bransle de Bourgogne (2)
Terpsichore: Bransle de la torche (11)
Terpsichore: Bransle de Montirande (4)
Terpsichore: Bransle de Poitou (1)
Terpsichore: Bransle double (3)
Terpsichore: Bransle double no 3 (1)
Terpsichore: Bransle gay no 1 (2)
Terpsichore: Bransle gentil (1)
Terpsichore: Bransle simple (2)
Terpsichore: Bransle simple no 1 (1)
Terpsichore: Bransle(s) (1)
Terpsichore: Bransle(s) (1)
Terpsichore: Bransles de villages (3)
Terpsichore: Bransles simple, gay, double (1)
Terpsichore: Courante de M. M. Wustrow (1)
Terpsichore: Courante I (2)
Terpsichore: Courante II (1)
Terpsichore: Courante(s) (5)
Terpsichore: Dance Suite (4)
Terpsichore: Dance Suite no 2 (1)
Terpsichore: Excerpt(s) (4)
Terpsichore: Galliard de la guerre (1)
Terpsichore: Galliard of Monsieur Wustron (3)
Terpsichore: Galliard(s) (1)
Terpsichore: Gavotte (2)
Terpsichore: Gavotte(s) (1)
Terpsichore: La Bourée (2)
Terpsichore: La Sarabande (1)
Terpsichore: La volta (1)
Terpsichore: Les Gavottes & La Gilotte (1)
Terpsichore: no 10, La canarie (4)
Terpsichore: no 14, Bransle de Villages (1)
Terpsichore: no 152, Courante "Light of Love" (1)
Terpsichore: no 183/117, Entrée - Courante (2)
Terpsichore: no 19, Ballets des Baccanales (7)
Terpsichore: no 199, Volte du tambour (1)
Terpsichore: no 21, Ballets des Matelots (4)
Terpsichore: no 254, Ballet des Coqs (1)
Terpsichore: no 268, Ballet (1)
Terpsichore: no 269, Ballet du Roy pour sonner apres (1)
Terpsichore: no 27, Spagnoletta (1)
Terpsichore: no 279, Ballet des Feus (1)
Terpsichore: no 28, Spagnioletta (1)
Terpsichore: no 30, Pavane de Spaigne (3)
Terpsichore: no 31, La Canarie (1)
Terpsichore: no 32, La Bourée (10)
Terpsichore: no 34, La Sarabande (1)
Terpsichore: no 48, Courrant de bataglia (1)
Terpsichore: no 8, Pavane d'Espagne (1)
Terpsichore: no 8, Pavane d'Espagne (2)
Terpsichore: no 9, Spagnioletta (4)
Terpsichore: Oncques amours (1)
Terpsichore: Passameze (1)
Terpsichore: Passameze pour les cornetz (4)
Terpsichore: Pavane "La cornetta" (1)
Terpsichore: Pavane de Spaigne (1)
Terpsichore: Philou (4)
Terpsichore: Reprinse (2)
Terpsichore: Reprinse secundam inferiorem (1)
Terpsichore: Sarabande (1)
Terpsichore: Spagnioletta (7)
Terpsichore: Suite de ballets (1)
Terpsichore: Suite de voltes (1)
Terpsichore: Suite in D major (2)
Terpsichore: Suite no 1 in C major (1)
Terpsichore: Suite no 2 in G major (1)
Terpsichore: Suite no 3 in F major (1)
Terpsichore: Suite no 4 in G major (1)
Terpsichore: Suite of Ballets (1)
Terpsichore: Suite of Gavottes (2)
Terpsichore: Suite(s) (3)
Terpsichore: Volte (9)
Terpsichore: Volte du roi (1)
Terpsichore: Volte(s) (5)
The Lord ascendeth up on high (1)
The noble stem of Jesse (2)
To us is born Immanuel (1)
Vater unser im Himmelreich (3)
Venite exultemus domino (1)
Verleih uns Frieden (1)
Vita sanctorum (1)
Volta (2)
Volta (1)
Volte du Tambour, for 5 part instrumental ensemble (Terpsichore, 199) (1)
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her, double-choir motet: Part 3. Lob, Her sei Gott (2)
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her (12)
Wachet auf (12)
Wachet auf: Verses 1 and 2 (2)
War Galliard (1)
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (16)
Wir gläuben all an einen Gott (1)
Work(s): Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen / En natus est Emanuel / In dulci jubilo (1)
Work(s): La Canarie à 4 (1)
Work(s): [Unspecified] Gagliarda (1)
More Featured Michael Praetorius CDs & DVDs:
Praetorius: Polyhymnia Caduceatrix & Panegyrica / Wilson
Release Date: 09/09/1997   Label: Sony Classical Vivarte Series   Catalog: 62929   Number of Discs: 2
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Praetorius: Terpsichore / Pickett, New London Consort
Release Date: 08/07/1986   Label: L'oiseau Lyre   Catalog: 414633   Number of Discs: 1
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Praetorius: Nativitas / Philip Pickett, New London Consort
Release Date:    Label: Decca   Catalog: 458025   Number of Discs: 1
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Praetorius: Musae Sionae, Dances, Motets / Munrow
Release Date:    Label: Emi Studio   Catalog: 769024   Number of Discs: 1
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Biography by Blair Johnston
Michael Praetorius was not only one of the most versatile and prolific German composers of the early seventeenth century (only the remarkable, slightly younger Heinrich Schütz is of comparable importance) but also the author of Syntagma musicum, a historically significant theoretical treatise on music. The exact year of Praetorius' birth remains unknown; February 15, 1571, is the generally accepted date, selected on the basis of two contemporary sources which claim that Praetorius died on his 50th birthday. After schooling at the University of Frankfurt an der Oder and at the Lateinschule at Zerbst, Anhalt, during his teens, Praetorius was appointed organist of St. Marien Church in Frankfurt in 1587. Praetorius later wrote that he left the position after three years, and, while it remains unclear what his activities during the early 1590s might have been, by 1595 he reappears in the historical record as organist for Duke Heinrich Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. After 1604, Praetorius combined his duties as organist with the more demanding position of kapellmeister at the court, often traveling with the duke and his court musicians. The following several years were a very productive time during which most of the composer's published collections of music appeared.

After Duke Heinrich Julius' death in 1613 Praetorius, though officially still attached to the new Duke at Wolfenbüttel, was invited to serve for two years at the court of Elector John Georg of Saxony, and he maintained a close relationship with the Saxony court even after the appointment ended. Indeed, from 1615 on, Praetorius spent more time away from Wolfenbüttel than he did attending to his duties as kapellmeister, and by 1620 Praetorius' frequent absence and poor health had caused so drastic a decline in the quality of music at Wolfenbüttel that he was dismissed from the position. He died just one year later, leaving his sizeable fortune to charity.

Praetorius' father and grandfather were both Lutheran theologians, and the composer inherited their deep religious sentiment, composing over 1,000 sacred compositions based on Protestant hymns and the Latin liturgy used in the Lutheran service. By comparison, only one small collection of secular compositions -- a group of instrumental dances -- survives. While such early works as Megalynodia Sionia, a collection of parody madrigals based on the music of Orlando di Lassus, among others, fail to display a real individuality of musical style. By the time of the Polyhymnia caduceatrix of 1619, Praetorius had embraced a remarkably forward-looking musical aesthetic in which the highly ornamented Italian vocal style of the times, and a dense scoring employing as many as 16 voices are all expressive possibilities at his disposal. Praetorius' Syntagma musicum, while never completed (the final section, intended to provide instruction in actual composition, remains missing), is one of the most important systematic compilations of early seventeenth century musical thinking.
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