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Praetorius

Michael Praetorius
Dates
1571–1621
Era
Baroque (1600–1750)
Recognition
essential
Wikipedia

Where to start with Praetorius

Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles
  1. Chamber
    Terpsichore Dances
  2. Vocal
    A Great and Mighty Wonder
  3. Chamber
    2 Courantes
  4. Chamber
    3 Bransels doubles
  5. Chamber
    A solis ortus cardine
  6. Vocal
    Alvus tumescit virginis
  7. Vocal
    Audite, silete
  8. Chamber
    Ballet
  9. Chamber
    Ballet
  10. Chamber
    Ballet
  11. Chamber
    Ballet
  12. Chamber
    Ballet and Double Branle
  13. Chamber
    Ballet anglois
  14. Chamber
    Ballet de Grenouille
  15. Chamber
    Ballet de Monsieur Nemours

Listening guide

Hand-curated paths into Praetorius's catalogue
  1. In dulci jubilo
  2. Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
  3. Terpsichore (dance collection)
  4. Musae Sioniae — Puer natus
  5. Lo How a Rose E\’er Blooming

Most Acclaimed

  1. Terpsichore (300+ dances for instruments)
  2. Syntagma Musicum (encyclopaedia)
  3. Musae Sioniae (9 volumes of Protestant hymns)
  4. Polychoral works for 16+ voices
  5. Christmas motets (Weihnachtslieder)

Most Weird

  1. Syntagma Musicum Vol. II
    the most important musical encyclopedia of the era — includes drawings of over 100 instruments; an invaluable historical document
  2. Polychoral works for 20+ voices
    his most ambitious spatial music — multiple choirs placed around the church
  3. Terpsichore (complete)
    312 instrumental dances from the French court — the largest collection of Renaissance dance music by a single composer
  4. Bransle de la Torche
    a torch dance — from Terpsichore; rhythmically unusual
  5. Weihnachtslied settings
    his carols are almost all still in use — the most durable Christmas music of the period

Similar composers

Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinity

Works 175