Heinrich Albert (composer)
Encyclopedia
Heinrich Albert, also Heinrich Alberti, (June 28th 1604 Lobenstein
– October 6th 1651 Königsberg
) was a German
composer
and poet
of the 17th century. He was member of the Königsberg Poetic Society (Königsberger Dichterkreis). As a song composer, he was strongly influenced by Heinrich Schütz
.
in Dresden
. Schütz introduced him to the basics of composition. Complying with his parents wishes, Albert enrolled in law at the University of Leipzig
in 1623. There, he also continued his studies in music, probably with Johann Hermann Schein
, a friend of Schütz, who worked as Thomaskantor
(cantor
) at St. Thomas's church.
In 1626, Albert tried to dodge the Thirty Years' War
, going to Königsberg with his friend, Simon Dach
. In the following year, he traveled from Königsberg
to Warsaw
as member of a Dutch parley delegation, but was taken captive by Swedish troops. He was released in 1628 and returned to Königsberg where he took up studies in defensive fortification. By 1630 he had returned to being a musician in Königsberg, and was appointed organist
of the cathedral, where he served April 1, 1631, until his premature death at the age of 47. His funeral was organized by the university, and the Latin obituary has so far been the principal source of information about his biography.
Albert was member of the Königsberg Poetic Society (Königsberger Dichterkreis) together with Simon Dach, Robert Roberthin, Georg Mylius, Martin Opitz et al. The poets would convene at the Kürbshütte, an arbor in Albert's garden, where the Linde dyke flows into the river Pregel. The council of Kneiphof
had given the garden as a present to the organist in 1630. In his garden, Albert grew pumpkins and gourds, and the friends would carve their bucolic noms de plume into the gourds. It was here that Martin Opitz visited his friend Simon Dach
in 1638. The garden and the arbor, however, fell prey to then urban management that provided for housing on the Weidendamm area.
A Heinrich Albert memorial stone has been erected in a copse in Bad Lobenstein
in 1644. Numerous occasional compositions have survived that he penned for weddings and funerals, as well as homages to distinguished persons, and songs about nature, wine, and love. His most famous song probably is Ännchen von Tharau with lyrics by Simon Dach. Today the song is usually sung, though, to a melody by Friedrich Silcher
(see chart). Some of his sacred songs are still part of German Protestant hymnals, e. g. Gott des Himmels und der Erden and Ich bin ja, Herr, in deiner Macht.
In 1643 Albert renewed contact with Schütz. He also studied with Johann Stobäus
(died 1646), Kapellmeister of cathedral and court. Stobäus was a representative of the Königsberg school of composers, which includes composers from Johannes Eccard to Johann Sebastiani
(ca. 1590–1690). Polyphonic five-part-writing was the rule that Albert obeyed as well. Quite a few of Albert's five-part songs, though, actually are expanded versions of solo songs. It was by means of these thorough-bass solo songs that he became popular.
Heinrich Albert set his own poetry and that of his friends to music and published them as scores in eight volumes, mainly, as from 1638, labelled "Arien oder Melodeyen“, totaling 170 songs. He provided these volumes with prefaces, offering detailed instructions for performance (he demanded e. g. that one should not play continuo
"like hacking a cabbage". Beside these eight volumes, he published numerous occasional prints, which have so far not been completely registered in terms of bibliography.
Endowed with a strong sense of his copyright, he tried to protect his compositions against pirated prints by means of privileges which he gained from the duke of Prussia and from the Polish king. The edition of Poetisch-musikalische Lustwäldlein of 1648 is one such pirated print of parts 1 to 6 of his "Arien", although in a different order and with many errors.
His tunes show French influence, subtly taking account of stresses and lengths of syllables and words, as well as Italian influence, expressing affects in terms of music, e. g. passion by means of melisma
and coloratura
. Albert also absorbed many typical Italian, German, and especially Polish dance rhythms.
A number of his songs go beyond simple forms, some are structured like cantatas, with instrumental introduction, lyrics, through-composed
for solo voice, and short coda for choir or instruments.
Bad Lobenstein
Bad Lobenstein is a town in the Saale-Orla-Kreis district, in Thuringia, Germany with a population of circa 7,000 inhabitants. The town, grouped round a rock, upon which stand the ruins of an old castle, is exceedingly picturesque. It contains a spacious parish church, a palace , and a hydropathic...
– October 6th 1651 Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
) was a German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
of the 17th century. He was member of the Königsberg Poetic Society (Königsberger Dichterkreis). As a song composer, he was strongly influenced by Heinrich Schütz
Heinrich Schütz
Heinrich Schütz was a German composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and often considered to be one of the most important composers of the 17th century along with Claudio Monteverdi...
.
Biography
Heinrich Albert was born in Lobenstein, principality of Reuss (Thuringia). He attended grammar school in Gera from 1619 to 1621 and studied music in 1622 with his cousin Heinrich SchützHeinrich Schütz
Heinrich Schütz was a German composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and often considered to be one of the most important composers of the 17th century along with Claudio Monteverdi...
in Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
. Schütz introduced him to the basics of composition. Complying with his parents wishes, Albert enrolled in law at the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
in 1623. There, he also continued his studies in music, probably with Johann Hermann Schein
Johann Schein
Johann Hermann Schein was a German composer of the early Baroque era. He was born in Grünhain and died in Leipzig...
, a friend of Schütz, who worked as Thomaskantor
Thomaskantor
The Thomaskantor is the musical director of the Thomanerchor in Leipzig, founded in 1212. He is appointed by Leipzig's city council and his duties are to lead the weekly services called Motette, Sunday services and other services in the Thomaskirche, also to conduct recordings and tours.Johann...
(cantor
Cantor (church)
A cantor is the chief singer employed in a church with responsibilities for the ecclesiastical choir; also called the precentor....
) at St. Thomas's church.
In 1626, Albert tried to dodge the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
, going to Königsberg with his friend, Simon Dach
Simon Dach
Simon Dach was a Prussian German lyrical poet and writer of hymns, born in Memel in the Duchy of Prussia.-Early life:...
. In the following year, he traveled from Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
to Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
as member of a Dutch parley delegation, but was taken captive by Swedish troops. He was released in 1628 and returned to Königsberg where he took up studies in defensive fortification. By 1630 he had returned to being a musician in Königsberg, and was appointed organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
of the cathedral, where he served April 1, 1631, until his premature death at the age of 47. His funeral was organized by the university, and the Latin obituary has so far been the principal source of information about his biography.
Albert was member of the Königsberg Poetic Society (Königsberger Dichterkreis) together with Simon Dach, Robert Roberthin, Georg Mylius, Martin Opitz et al. The poets would convene at the Kürbshütte, an arbor in Albert's garden, where the Linde dyke flows into the river Pregel. The council of Kneiphof
Kneiphof
Kneiphof was one of three towns in the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights that became the city of Königsberg . Kneiphof was originally Knypabe , meaning 'area flushed by water' in Old Prussian.As other members of the Prussian Confederation, Kneiphof rebelled against the Teutonic Knights in...
had given the garden as a present to the organist in 1630. In his garden, Albert grew pumpkins and gourds, and the friends would carve their bucolic noms de plume into the gourds. It was here that Martin Opitz visited his friend Simon Dach
Simon Dach
Simon Dach was a Prussian German lyrical poet and writer of hymns, born in Memel in the Duchy of Prussia.-Early life:...
in 1638. The garden and the arbor, however, fell prey to then urban management that provided for housing on the Weidendamm area.
A Heinrich Albert memorial stone has been erected in a copse in Bad Lobenstein
Bad Lobenstein
Bad Lobenstein is a town in the Saale-Orla-Kreis district, in Thuringia, Germany with a population of circa 7,000 inhabitants. The town, grouped round a rock, upon which stand the ruins of an old castle, is exceedingly picturesque. It contains a spacious parish church, a palace , and a hydropathic...
Works
In Königsberg, Albert composed for both the civic and academic communities. He furnished quite a few academic occasions with music, e. g. the centenary of the University of KönigsbergUniversity of Königsberg
The University of Königsberg was the university of Königsberg in East Prussia. It was founded in 1544 as second Protestant academy by Duke Albert of Prussia, and was commonly known as the Albertina....
in 1644. Numerous occasional compositions have survived that he penned for weddings and funerals, as well as homages to distinguished persons, and songs about nature, wine, and love. His most famous song probably is Ännchen von Tharau with lyrics by Simon Dach. Today the song is usually sung, though, to a melody by Friedrich Silcher
Friedrich Silcher
Phillipp Friedrich Silcher , was a German composer, mainly known for his lieder , and an important folksong collector.-Life:...
(see chart). Some of his sacred songs are still part of German Protestant hymnals, e. g. Gott des Himmels und der Erden and Ich bin ja, Herr, in deiner Macht.
In 1643 Albert renewed contact with Schütz. He also studied with Johann Stobäus
Johann Stobäus
Johann Stobäus was a North German composer.Stobäus was born at Graudenz. From 1599 to 1608 he was a pupil of Johann Eccard, the Kapellmeister of Königsberg. Then from 1601 a bassist in the princely Kapelle from 1602 Kantor at Königsberg Cathedral. Then in 1626 he succeeded Eccard as...
(died 1646), Kapellmeister of cathedral and court. Stobäus was a representative of the Königsberg school of composers, which includes composers from Johannes Eccard to Johann Sebastiani
Johann Sebastiani
Johann Sebastiani was a German baroque composer.Sebastiani was born in Weimar. He became Kantor at Königsberg cathedral in 1661, and court Kapellmeister 1663-1679. He died in Königsberg...
(ca. 1590–1690). Polyphonic five-part-writing was the rule that Albert obeyed as well. Quite a few of Albert's five-part songs, though, actually are expanded versions of solo songs. It was by means of these thorough-bass solo songs that he became popular.
Heinrich Albert set his own poetry and that of his friends to music and published them as scores in eight volumes, mainly, as from 1638, labelled "Arien oder Melodeyen“, totaling 170 songs. He provided these volumes with prefaces, offering detailed instructions for performance (he demanded e. g. that one should not play continuo
Figured bass
Figured bass, or thoroughbass, is a kind of integer musical notation used to indicate intervals, chords, and non-chord tones, in relation to a bass note...
"like hacking a cabbage". Beside these eight volumes, he published numerous occasional prints, which have so far not been completely registered in terms of bibliography.
Endowed with a strong sense of his copyright, he tried to protect his compositions against pirated prints by means of privileges which he gained from the duke of Prussia and from the Polish king. The edition of Poetisch-musikalische Lustwäldlein of 1648 is one such pirated print of parts 1 to 6 of his "Arien", although in a different order and with many errors.
His tunes show French influence, subtly taking account of stresses and lengths of syllables and words, as well as Italian influence, expressing affects in terms of music, e. g. passion by means of melisma
Melisma
Melisma, in music, is the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession. Music sung in this style is referred to as melismatic, as opposed to syllabic, where each syllable of text is matched to a single note.-History:Music of ancient cultures used...
and coloratura
Coloratura
Coloratura has several meanings. The word is originally from Italian, literally meaning "coloring", and derives from the Latin word colorare . When used in English, the term specifically refers to elaborate melody, particularly in vocal music and especially in operatic singing of the 18th and...
. Albert also absorbed many typical Italian, German, and especially Polish dance rhythms.
A number of his songs go beyond simple forms, some are structured like cantatas, with instrumental introduction, lyrics, through-composed
Through-composed
Through-composed music is relatively continuous, non-sectional, and/or non-repetitive. A song is said to be through-composed if it has different music for each stanza of the lyrics. This is in contrast to strophic form, in which each stanza is set to the same music...
for solo voice, and short coda for choir or instruments.
External links
- Lutheran Cyclopedia article on Albert Heinrich