Nicolaus Bleyer

Nicolaus Bleyer (born February 2, 1591 Stolzenau ; † May 3, 1658 Lübeck ) was a north German composer and violinist.

Life

Bleyer was a member of the Gottorfer Hofkapelle from around 1610 , where he had lessons from the English musician William Brade from 1614 . In 1617, after the death of Duke Johann Adolf, he and Brade joined the orchestra of Count Ernst zu Holstein-Schaumburg in Bückeburg . Here he met the musician Thomas Simpson (1582–1628), also from England, who named a five-part piece in one of his collections “Bleyer's Armbandt” . Simpson published six works by Bleyer in one collection in 1621. Also in 1621 Bleyer was employed as a council musician in Lübeck and received civil rights here on May 1, 1623. He worked in the Hanseatic city until his death. Bleyer was actively involved in Lübeck's musical life and had numerous students, including Nathanael Schnittelbach .

plant

In addition to the six pieces already mentioned, a collection was created with his own works, "First Part Newer Paduanen, Galliards, Ballets, Mascarades and Couranten" (Hamburg, 1628). This collection was only partially passed on, only a part of it can be found in his “ Collection First Part Newer Pavans, Galliards, Canzones, Synfonies, Ballets, Voltes, Courants and Sarabands ” (Lübeck, 1642), which contains a total of 43 pieces.

His works for violin correspond to the English model and are characterized by a lively figuration, they are rich in double stops. His five variations on the theme “ English Mars ”, created around 1650, show the expressiveness of his virtuosity. A third collection of dances is lost. The cantata “O sweet, oh friendly Herr Jesu Christ” for three voices, two violins and continuo is still preserved.