Hamburg, where Scheidemann was active, was a prosperous financial and cultural center in Northern Europe due to its close trading connections as part of the Hanseatic League.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Scheidemann's music, mostly for organ and Lutheran liturgy, was never published in his lifetime but circulated widely among professional circles in German keyboard tablature.
Instruments
The organ used for this recording, Brombaugh Organ Opus 35, was completed in June 2004 and is tuned in Herbert Kellner's 'Bach' temperament, suitable for music of all periods.
Composer Biography
Scheidemann held the position of organist at St Catherine's Church in Hamburg, a church housing one of Northern Germany's most beautiful organs, until his death from the plague in 1663.
Compositional Technique
A new type of organ writing emerged in Hamburg, using the large organ's fully developed pedal not just for cantus firmus but also as a supporting bass, which was seminal for organ music history.
Composer Biography
Heinrich Scheidemann, an important figure in keyboard music, studied with the renowned Amsterdam organist Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck between 1611 and 1614.
Performer Biography
Julia Brown, the organist on this album, is Director of Music and Organist at First United Methodist Church in Eugene, Oregon, and has performed internationally.
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