Tobias Michael's musical career in Sondershausen was cut short when parts of the town, including the church and its organ, were burned down in 1621 during the Thirty Years' War.
Historical Context
During Tobias Michael's time as cantor in Leipzig, the city suffered greatly from the Thirty Years' War, being besieged and captured multiple times between 1631 and 1642.
Composer Biography
Tobias Michael, the composer, was the son of Rogier Michael, who was a singer and later Kapellmeister at the Dresden court orchestra.
Historical Context
Dresden, where the composer Tobias Michael grew up, became the official residence of the Wettin dynasty in the mid-15th century, leading to the establishment of a court orchestra.
Composition History
Tobias Michael was called to be the musical director of the new church in Sondershausen in 1619 by the Counts of Schwarzburg and Hohenstein.
Compositional Technique
Tobias Michael's major works, the two collections of Musicalische Seelenlust, are described as 'madrigal-like' and feature German-language 'religious madrigals'.
Composer Biography
Tobias Michael succeeded Johann Hermann Schein as cantor of the Leipzig choir in 1630, despite having limited demonstrable musical experience.
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Legrenzi: Harmonia d'affetti devoti, Libro 1, Op. 3
