Johann Staden held the most important organist position in Nuremberg at St. Sebald's Church, making him the director of both municipal and church music.
Historical Context
Nuremberg, where Johann Staden lived, was a wealthy and important Imperial city, known for instrument building, music printing, and music-making in the early 17th century.
Composition History
This album features 'Kirchenmusik 1,' a collection of 15 settings of important liturgical texts and psalms by Johann Staden, published in 1625 for feast days in Nuremberg churches.
Compositional Technique
Johann Staden's 'Kirchenmusik' demonstrates stylistic diversity, ranging from polyphonic motet style to largely homophonic settings, with the number of parts varying between four and fourteen.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Johann Staden, while traditional, was open to new compositional styles from other places, especially Italy, and was inspired by composers like Giovanni Gabrieli.
Historical Context
Johann Staden's time as director of music in Nuremberg coincided with the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War and devastating plague epidemics, one of which claimed his wife and four children in 1627, and Staden himself in 1634.
Composer Biography
Johann Staden, the composer, was born and baptized in Nuremberg in 1581 and spent most of his life there.
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