Michael Altenburg

Biography

Michael Altenburg (27 May 1584 – 12 February 1640) was a German theologian and composer.
Altenburg was born at Alach, near Erfurt. He began attending school in Erfurt in 1590; he began studying theology at the University of Erfurt in 1598, and was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1599 and a master's in 1603. From 1600 he taught at the Reglerschule in Erfurt; he was Kantor at St. Andreas from 1601 and rector of the school at St. Andreas in Erfurt from 1607. In 1609 he quit teaching to become a pastor, moving to Tröchtelborn and preaching there until 1621. During this period Altenburg published music, and was compared to Orlando di Lasso.
After 1621 he moved to Sömmerda, working at the Bonifaciuskirche. While he continued to publish and was respected for his compositions, the Thirty Years War sapped his efforts. In 1636 a massive plague wiped out most of his congregation, and his wife and ten of his children died before himself. He returned to Erfurt in 1637, where he remained as deacon and, from 1638, minister at St Andreas.
Much of Altenburg's compositional output consists of vocal concertos, motets and chorales.

Works, hymns, editions and recordings

Works

Passion after Isaiah ch. 53 for eight voices. Erfurt, 1608
Marriage motet for eight voices. Erfurt, 1613
Gaudium Christianum. Jena, 1617
Musikalischer Schirm und Schild der Bürger etc. oder der 55. Psalm a 6. Erfurt, 1618
Cantiones de adventu. Erfurt, 1620
Erster Theil Newer Lieblicher vnd Zierlicher Intraden a 6. Erfurt, 1620
Christliche liebliche und andächtige neue Kirchen- und Haus-Gesänge a 5, 6, 8. 3 Vols. Erfurt, 1620–21
Cantiones de adventu a 5, 6, 8. Erfurt, 1621
Musikalische Weihnachts- und Neujahrs-Zierde for 4-9 voices. Erfurt, 1621
Musikalisches Festgefüge for 5 to 14 voices. Four vols, (only 3rd and 4th survive). Erfurt, 1623
Hymn melodies

Aus Jacobs Stamm ein Stern sehr klar
Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf
Herr Gott Vater, ich glaub an dich
Jesu, du Gottes Lämmlein
Verzage nicht, o Häuflein klein
Was Gott tut das ist wohlgethan, kein einzig Mensch ihn tadeln kann.
Editions

Intraden I-XVI, 2 Vols
Puer natus in Bethlehem, from 1621 collection.
Sechstimmige Advent- und Weihnachtsgesänge,
Vierstimmige Weihnachtsgesänge
Recording

Gaudium Christianum (Jena 1617) - Festmusik zur Reformationsfeier: Compositions: Das Lutherische Jubelgeschrey; Die Prophezeiung von Luthero; Das Lutherische Schloß oder Feste Burgk; Die Engelische Schlacht; Das Amen. Item Von Nun an bis in Ewigkeit; Das Amen Gott Vater und Sohne. With organ works by Sweelinck and Franz Tunder and motets to the Feast of Saint Michael by Samuel Scheidt, Heinrich Schütz, Melchior Franck, Demantius, and Johann Christoph Bach. Simone Schwark, Johanna Krell, Raimund Fürst, Kammerchor Bad Homburg, Johann Rosenmüller Ensemble, directed by Susanne Rohn. Christophorus. 2012