North German organ school

A north German organ school is a style of organ music that originated in northern Germany in the 17th century and flourished until the middle of the 18th century. On the one hand, influences from the Netherlands played a role, in particular through the Amsterdam organist Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck , and on the other hand, advances in organ building , especially through Hans Scherer the Elder , Hans Scherer the Younger and Arp Schnitger . In addition to Hamburg, the main centers of this style were Lübeck, Lüneburg, Hanover, Celle, Braunschweig and Danzig. Contrary to its name, however, the movement also had branches in Denmark and Sweden. The style is characterized by frequent changes of manuals and very independent pedal play .

The most important representatives of the north German organ school are:

• Hieronymus Praetorius (1560–1629)
• Johann Steffens (around 1560-1616)
• Michael Praetorius (1571 / 72–1621)
• Jacob Praetorius the Younger (1586–1651)
• Samuel Scheidt (1587–1657)
• Melchior Schildt (1592 / 93–1667)
• Heinrich Scheidemann (around 1596–1663)
• Dolphin Strungk (1601–1694)
• Franz Tunder (1614–1667)
• Matthias Weckmann (around 1616–1674)
• Nicolaus Hasse (around 1605–1670 / 72)
• Johann Adam Reincken (1643–1722)
• Dieterich Buxtehude (around 1637–1707)
• Vincent Lübeck (1654-1740)
• Georg Böhm (1661–1733)
• Nicolaus Bruhns (1665–1697)
• Johann Nicolaus Hanff (1665–1711 / 12)

literature

• Klaus Beckmann : The North German School. Organ music in Protestant Northern Germany between 1517 and 1755. 2 volumes. Schott, Mainz et al. 2005–2009.
  • Volume 1: The time of the founding fathers. 1517-1629. 2005, ISBN 3-7957-0531-2 .
  • Volume 2: Flowering Period and Decay. 1620-1755. 2009, ISBN 978-3-7957-0532-9 .