Organist, Composer. A founder of the north German organ school and one of the most famous keyboard virtuosos of his day. The son of an organist, Scheidemann was born in Wohrden, Holstein, Germany. He studied music with his father and with Jan Sweelinck in Amsterdam from 1611 to 1614; upon completion of his studies Sweelinck wrote a motet in his honor. By the late 1620s he was established as organist of the Katharinenkirche in Hamburg, where he attracted music lovers from all over Germany and the Low Countries. He died during an outbreak of plague. His pupil and assistant, Johann Adam Reincken, succeeded him as church organist. Scheidemann wrote almost exclusively for the organ. About 50 of his works survive, and while they are based on liturgical vocal models (such as the Mass and Magnificat) they are thoroughly idiomatic for their instrument. He helped develop such forms as the chorale prelude, chorale fantasia, and prelude and fugue, and some of his multi-movement pieces make rare use of cyclic form. Scheidemann's influence can be traced directly through Reincken and Buxtehude to Johann Sebastian Bach.
Organist, Composer. A founder of the north German organ school and one of the most famous keyboard virtuosos of his day. The son of an organist, Scheidemann was born in Wohrden, Holstein, Germany. He studied music with his father and with Jan Sweelinck in Amsterdam from 1611 to 1614; upon completion of his studies Sweelinck wrote a motet in his honor. By the late 1620s he was established as organist of the Katharinenkirche in Hamburg, where he attracted music lovers from all over Germany and the Low Countries. He died during an outbreak of plague. His pupil and assistant, Johann Adam Reincken, succeeded him as church organist. Scheidemann wrote almost exclusively for the organ. About 50 of his works survive, and while they are based on liturgical vocal models (such as the Mass and Magnificat) they are thoroughly idiomatic for their instrument. He helped develop such forms as the chorale prelude, chorale fantasia, and prelude and fugue, and some of his multi-movement pieces make rare use of cyclic form. Scheidemann's influence can be traced directly through Reincken and Buxtehude to Johann Sebastian Bach.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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