Sebastian Anton Scherer
Encyclopedia
Sebastian Anton Scherer was a German
composer and organist
of the Baroque
era.
Scherer was born in Ulm
, where he resided until his death. On 17 June 1653 he was elected town musician, and it was also around that time that he became assistant to Tobias Eberlin, then organist of the famous Ulm Münster
Cathedral
. Sherer probably started studying with Eberlin at the same time, later married his daughter and in 1671 succeeded him as organist of the cathedral. Sources disagree on whether Scherer was later appointed organist or simply organ consultant at St Thomas Church
(Église Saint-Thomas) in Strasbourg
, France
, but it was most probably the latter case, since apparently he remained Ulm's cathedral organist until his death in 1712.
Scherer's surviving works are few, as is typical for the era. They include a collection of sacred vocal music
(motet
s, mass
movements and psalm settings) somewhat notable for its imaginative word-setting in some of the pieces, fourteen trio sonata
s published as one volume in 1680, all of considerable quality, and a two-part volume of organ
music. This latter publication exhibits Italian
influence, particularly that of Frescobaldi
, which was typical for the south German tradition
Scherer represented. The first part, written out entirely in tablature
, is titled Intonationes breves per octo Tonos and contains 32 short versets, four for each church mode, so that each mode has an intonatio prima (toccata
-like, with extensive use of pedal point
), secunda (imitative), tertia (toccata-like) and quarta (imitative). The second part contains eight toccatas, all of which are sectional pieces that make heavy use of pedal point and contain much imitative counterpoint as well as free writing.
Other works include sacred and secular vocal music; and there is evidence that a set of lute
suite
s was published in Augsburg, but those pieces are lost.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
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...
of the Baroque
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...
era.
Scherer was born in Ulm
Ulm
Ulm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
, where he resided until his death. On 17 June 1653 he was elected town musician, and it was also around that time that he became assistant to Tobias Eberlin, then organist of the famous Ulm Münster
Ulm Münster
- Measurements :*The height of the spire is .Ulm Münster is the world's tallest church*The church has a length of and a width of .*The building area is approximately .*The height of the central nave is , whilst the lateral naves are high....
Cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
. Sherer probably started studying with Eberlin at the same time, later married his daughter and in 1671 succeeded him as organist of the cathedral. Sources disagree on whether Scherer was later appointed organist or simply organ consultant at St Thomas Church
Saint Thomas Church (Strasbourg)
The Saint-Thomas Church is a historical building in Strasbourg, eastern France. It is the main Protestant church of the city since its Cathedral became Catholic again after the annexation of the town by France in 1681...
(Église Saint-Thomas) in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but it was most probably the latter case, since apparently he remained Ulm's cathedral organist until his death in 1712.
Scherer's surviving works are few, as is typical for the era. They include a collection of sacred vocal music
Vocal music
Vocal music is a genre of music performed by one or more singers, with or without instrumental accompaniment, in which singing provides the main focus of the piece. Music which employs singing but does not feature it prominently is generally considered instrumental music Vocal music is a genre of...
(motet
Motet
In classical music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions.-Etymology:The name comes either from the Latin movere, or a Latinized version of Old French mot, "word" or "verbal utterance." The Medieval Latin for "motet" is motectum, and the Italian...
s, mass
Mass (music)
The Mass, a form of sacred musical composition, is a choral composition that sets the invariable portions of the Eucharistic liturgy to music...
movements and psalm settings) somewhat notable for its imaginative word-setting in some of the pieces, fourteen trio sonata
Trio sonata
The trio sonata is a musical form that was popular in the 17th and early 18th centuries.A trio sonata is written for two solo melodic instruments and basso continuo, making three parts in all, hence the name trio sonata...
s published as one volume in 1680, all of considerable quality, and a two-part volume of organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
music. This latter publication exhibits Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
influence, particularly that of Frescobaldi
Girolamo Frescobaldi
Girolamo Frescobaldi was a musician from Ferrara, one of the most important composers of keyboard music in the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. A child prodigy, Frescobaldi studied under Luzzasco Luzzaschi in Ferrara, but was influenced by a large number of composers, including Ascanio...
, which was typical for the south German tradition
German organ schools
The 17th century organ composers of Germany can be divided into two primary schools: the north German school and the south German school...
Scherer represented. The first part, written out entirely in tablature
Tablature
Tablature is a form of musical notation indicating instrument fingering rather than musical pitches....
, is titled Intonationes breves per octo Tonos and contains 32 short versets, four for each church mode, so that each mode has an intonatio prima (toccata
Toccata
Toccata is a virtuoso piece of music typically for a keyboard or plucked string instrument featuring fast-moving, lightly fingered or otherwise virtuosic passages or sections, with or without imitative or fugal interludes, generally emphasizing the dexterity of the performer's fingers...
-like, with extensive use of pedal point
Pedal point
In tonal music, a pedal point is a sustained tone, typically in the bass, during which at least one foreign, i.e., dissonant harmony is sounded in the other parts. A pedal point sometimes functions as a "non-chord tone", placing it in the categories alongside suspensions, retardations, and passing...
), secunda (imitative), tertia (toccata-like) and quarta (imitative). The second part contains eight toccatas, all of which are sectional pieces that make heavy use of pedal point and contain much imitative counterpoint as well as free writing.
Other works include sacred and secular vocal music; and there is evidence that a set of lute
Lute
Lute can refer generally to any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back, or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes....
suite
Suite
In music, a suite is an ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting rather than as accompaniment; they may be extracts from an opera, ballet , or incidental music to a play or film , or they may be entirely original movements .In the...
s was published in Augsburg, but those pieces are lost.
List of works
- Musica sacra (...) missae, psalmi, et motetti, Op. 1 (Ulm, 1657). For 3-5 voices and instruments.
- Operum musicorum secundum, distinctum in libros 2, Op. 2 (Ulm, 1664). Organ music.
- Traur- und Klaggesan (Ulm, 1664). Secular vocal music for 5 voices and basso continuo.
- Sonatae, Op. 3 (Ulm, 1680). Trio sonatas for 2 violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
s, viola da gamba and basso continuo. - Jubilate Deo, O quam mirabilis (vocal works in manuscript sources)