Crüger, Johann

Composer

b Gross-Briesen (Breesen), nr Guben, Brandenburg, Prussia (Germany) 1598, d Berlin 1662. Schools in Guben, Sorau and Breslau; then the Jesuit Coll, Olmutz; the Poets’ Sch, Regensburg. After travels in Moravia, Bohemia, Austria and Saxony he settled as a private tutor in Berlin. Studied theology at Wittenberg 1620–22; Cantor of the Lutheran Cathedral of St Nicolai, Berlin from 1622 until his death, and teacher at Greyfriars Gymnasium. He founded the cathedral choir; edited canticles (‘Magnificats’) and revitalised the Protestant chorale; his major achievement was the influential Praxis Pietatis Melica (‘The Practice of Piety through Melody’, c1644), which was significant for later Lutheran hymnals and by 1724 had seen 40 edns. He wrote on the theory and practice of music; and composed many concertos, motets and hymn tunes. Nos.161=381, 412(i), 431, 484, 560, 730.