Jacob Praetorius
Encyclopedia
Jacob Praetorius or Schultz (1586–1651) was a German Baroque
composer and organist
, and the son of Hieronymus Praetorius
. His grandfather, the father of Hieronymus, Jacob Praetorius the elder (d.1586) was also a composer.
As a student of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
, he was one of the most important organists and most respected pedagogues of the north German tradition before Johann Sebastian Bach
. From 1603 on he was organist at the Petrikirche in Hamburg
. His most important pupil, Matthias Weckmann
, studied with him from 1633 to 1636 and later joined him in Hamburg as organist at the Jakobikirche. His compositional style includes both traditional and progressive elements. His three surviving preludes show the kind of sectionalism and diversity of styles that would become one of the defining characteristics of the genre. That is to say, they contain a free, rhapsodic (though restrained) opening section that foreshadows the stylus phantasticus style of German composers later in the century (notably Dieterich Buxtehude
), followed by an imitative, fugal
section that strictly adheres to traditional contrapuntal
rules.
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
composer and 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...
, and the son of Hieronymus Praetorius
Hieronymus Praetorius
Hieronymus Praetorius was a north German composer and organist of the late Renaissance and very early Baroque eras. He was not related to the much more famous Michael Praetorius, though the Praetorius family had many distinguished musicians throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.-Life:He was born...
. His grandfather, the father of Hieronymus, Jacob Praetorius the elder (d.1586) was also a composer.
As a student of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was a Dutch composer, organist, and pedagogue whose work straddled the end of the Renaissance and beginning of the Baroque eras. He was among the first major keyboard composers of Europe, and his work as a teacher helped establish the north German organ...
, he was one of the most important organists and most respected pedagogues of the north German tradition before Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
. From 1603 on he was organist at the Petrikirche in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
. His most important pupil, Matthias Weckmann
Matthias Weckmann
Matthias Weckmann was a German musician and composer of the Baroque period. He was born in Niederdorla and died in Hamburg.- Life :...
, studied with him from 1633 to 1636 and later joined him in Hamburg as organist at the Jakobikirche. His compositional style includes both traditional and progressive elements. His three surviving preludes show the kind of sectionalism and diversity of styles that would become one of the defining characteristics of the genre. That is to say, they contain a free, rhapsodic (though restrained) opening section that foreshadows the stylus phantasticus style of German composers later in the century (notably Dieterich Buxtehude
Dieterich Buxtehude
Dieterich Buxtehude was a German-Danish organist and composer of the Baroque period. His organ works represent a central part of the standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed at recitals and in church services...
), followed by an imitative, fugal
Fugue
In music, a fugue is a compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition....
section that strictly adheres to traditional contrapuntal
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
rules.
Works, editions and recordings
- The motets of Jacob Praetorius II ed. Frederick Kent Gable - 1994
- Jacob Praetorius: Motets & Organ Works, CD Weser-Renaissance, dir. Manfred CordesManfred CordesManfred Cordes is a German conductor of early music, musicologist and teacher. He is currently professor at the Hochschule für Künste Bremen.- Publications :...
CPO