Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

1530 in Naumburg, Germany

Death

:

January 29, 1597 in Leipzig, Germany

Period

:

Renaissance

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Elias Nikolaus Ammerbach was a German composer, organist, and music theorist who lived during the Renaissance period. He was born in Naumburg, Germany in 1530 and little is known about his early life and education. However, it is believed that he received his musical training in Leipzig, which was a center of music education during that time. Ammerbach's career as a musician began in 1554 when he was appointed as the organist at the St. Wenzel Church in Naumburg. He held this position for the rest of his life and was highly respected for his skills as an organist. In addition to his work as an organist, Ammerbach was also a music teacher and a composer. Ammerbach's most famous work is his "Orgel oder Instrument Tabulaturbuch," which was published in 1571. This book is a collection of keyboard music and is considered to be one of the most important keyboard collections of the Renaissance period. The book contains music for the organ, harpsichord, and other keyboard instruments, and includes pieces by other composers as well as Ammerbach's own compositions. One of the most notable features of Ammerbach's "Orgel oder Instrument Tabulaturbuch" is the inclusion of detailed instructions on how to play the pieces. These instructions provide valuable insight into the performance practices of the time and are still studied by musicologists today. Ammerbach's compositions are characterized by their use of counterpoint and their intricate harmonies. His music is also notable for its use of chromaticism, which was a relatively new technique at the time. Ammerbach's music was highly influential and was widely performed during his lifetime. In addition to his work as a composer and organist, Ammerbach was also a music theorist. He wrote several treatises on music theory, including "Musica autodidactica" and "Fundamentum Organisandi." These treatises were highly respected and were used as textbooks in music schools throughout Europe. Ammerbach died in 1597 in Naumburg, Germany. His legacy as a composer, organist, and music theorist continues to be celebrated today. His "Orgel oder Instrument Tabulaturbuch" remains an important source of keyboard music from the Renaissance period, and his contributions to music theory have had a lasting impact on the field.

More....