Michael Praetorius

German Renaissance Composer and Organist

Michael Praetorius (1571–1621) was a prolific German composer, organist, and music theorist of the early Baroque era. His real name was Michael Schultze, but he is best known by his Latinized moniker. Praetorius was a versatile and innovative musician who significantly influenced the development of Protestant church music in Germany. He served as the organist at the court in Wolfenbüttel and later became Kapellmeister there. One of his most notable contributions to music was his compendium "Syntagma Musicum," a three-volume work that covers musical practices of his time as well as detailed information on instruments and performance practices. His compositions include a wide range of sacred works, such as the nine-volume "Musae Sioniae" which contains Lutheran hymns and polyphonic settings for liturgical use. While Praetorius did not produce albums in the modern sense, as he lived centuries before recorded music, his works have been performed and recorded by many artists and ensembles specializing in early music, often featured in collections of Advent and Christmas music due to their enduring relevance to the liturgical season.