Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

January 20, 1586 in Grünhain, Germany

Death

:

November 19, 1630 in Leipzig, Germany

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Johann Hermann Schein was a German composer and musician who lived during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He was born on January 20, 1586, in Grünhain, a small town in Saxony, Germany. Schein was the son of a Lutheran pastor, and he grew up in a musical family. His father was a skilled musician and taught him how to play the lute and the viola da gamba. Schein began his formal musical education at the age of nine when he became a choirboy at the court of Duke Heinrich Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. He received a thorough education in music theory, composition, and performance during his time there. In 1603, Schein left the court and enrolled at the University of Leipzig, where he studied law and music. After completing his studies, Schein returned to his hometown of Grünhain and became the town's music director. He held this position for several years before moving to Weimar in 1616 to become the court musician for Duke Johann Ernst. Schein remained in Weimar for six years, during which time he composed some of his most significant works. In 1623, Schein moved to Dresden, where he became the music director for the Elector of Saxony. He held this position until his death in 1630. During his time in Dresden, Schein composed a vast amount of music, including sacred and secular vocal works, instrumental music, and music for the theater. Schein's music is characterized by its expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and intricate counterpoint. He was a master of the motet, a type of sacred vocal music that was popular during the Renaissance. Schein's motets are known for their complex polyphony and their use of chromaticism, which was a new and innovative technique at the time. One of Schein's most famous works is his collection of motets called "Cantiones sacrae." This collection, which was published in 1620, contains 20 motets that are based on biblical texts. The motets are written for four to eight voices and are notable for their use of chromaticism and their expressive melodies. Another significant work by Schein is his collection of instrumental music called "Banchetto musicale." This collection, which was published in 1617, contains dances, canzonas, and other instrumental pieces that were popular during the Baroque period. The music is written for a variety of instruments, including violins, viols, and lutes. Schein also composed music for the theater, including several operas and ballets. His most famous work in this genre is his opera "Dafne," which was first performed in Weimar in 1627. The opera is based on the Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo and is notable for its use of recitative, which was a new and innovative technique at the time. In addition to his work as a composer, Schein was also a respected music theorist. He wrote several treatises on music theory, including "Tabulatura nova," which was published in 1624. This treatise contains instructions for playing the keyboard and includes examples of Schein's own compositions. Schein's contributions to music were significant, and his influence can be seen in the works of later composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach. His music is still performed and studied today, and he is considered one of the most important composers of the early Baroque period. Schein died on November 19, 1630, in Leipzig, Germany, at the age of 44.

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