Johann Crüger (Composer)

Born: April 9 (or 1), 1598 - Groß-Breesen/Niederlausitz, Brandenburg, Germany (near Guben an der Neiße, on the present Polish border)
Died: February 23, 1662 - Berlin, Germany

The German composer, Johann [Johannes] Crüger, began studying theology in Wittenberg in 1620. He also studied at schools in Guben, Sorau, and Breslau, the Jesuit College at Olmütz, and the Poets’ School at Regensburg. He traveled through Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, and Moravia and then settled at Berlin in 1615. Here he employed himself as a private tutor until 1622, except for a short residence at the University of Wittenberg in 1620. He received a thorough musical training under Paulus Homberger in Regensburg, a pupil of Giovanni Gabrieli.

In 1622 Crüger was appointed cantor and organist of the Nikolaikirche (St. Nikolai Church) in Berlin, a post which he retained till his death. He was also one of the masters of the Greyfriars Gymnasium.

Crüger wrote no hymns, but he was one of the most distinguished music and tune composers of his time. He was a friend of Paul Gerhardt, and wrote melodies for many hymns by Paul Gerhardt and others. He composed 71 chorales, of which 18 have received a wide usage in the Evangelical churches of the world. Crüger composed sacred works for choral and instrumental performances, and was also a musicologist and wrote about the theory and practice of music. His church-hymn collections include Neues vollkömmliches Gesangbuch, 1640; Praxis pietatis melica, 1644, which appeared in many editions; Geistliche Kirchenmelodeyen, 1649; Psalmodica sacra, 1658. His other works include: Synopsis musica, 1630; Musicae practicae praecepta (Rules for Practicing Music), 1660.

Source: Cyber Hymnal Website; ELHHB Website [Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal]
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (June 2003, August 2003, September 2005)

Chorale Melodies used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig (adaptation of original melody by Michael Franck) (1661; Zahn 1887b)

Als der gütige Gott (1640; Zahn 1646)

Als Jesu Christus in der Nacht (1649; Zahn 258)

Auf, auf! mein Herz, mit Freuden (1648; Zahn 5243)

Brunnquell aller Güte (modified by J. Crüger) (1653; Zahn 6252)

Du geballtes Weltgebäude (1649; Zahn 6773)

Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen (1653; Zahn 6481; not used by J.S. Bach) > Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen (Zahn 6461)

Gott, der du selber bist das Licht 1648; Zahn 5814)

Herr, ich habe missgehandelt (1649; Zahn 3695)

Herr, straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn (1640; Zahn 4606a)

Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen (1640, Zahn 983)

Jesu, meine Freude (1653; Zahn 8032)

Jesus, meine Zuversicht (probable composer; 1653, Zahn 3432b)

Nun danket alle Gott

O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort (arrangement of Wach auf, mein Geist, erhebe dich by Johann Schop) (1653)

O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen (1649; Zahn 1583)

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (1649; EKG 157; Zahn 6923)

Schwing dich auf zu deinem Gott (alternate melody, not used by J.S. Bach) (1648; EKG 296)

Use of Chorale Melodies in his works

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her for 4 voices (SATB), 2 instruments, bc (CM: Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr)

Befiehl du deine Wege, Setting (1640; CM: Befiehl du deine Wege (I))

Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ for 4 voices, 2 obbligato instruments (violins), and continuo (CM: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ)

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (CM: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland)

Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren, contained in “Geistliche Kirchenmelodien über die von Herrn D. Luthero sel, und anderen vornehmen und gelehrten Leuten aufgesetzte geist- und trostreiche Gesänge und Psalmen... in 4 Vokal- und 2 Instrumental-Stimmen, als Violinen und Cornetten übersetzt ...” (Berlin, 1649; CM: Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren)

Links to other Sites

Johann Crüger (Cyber Hymnal)
Porträt: Johann Crüger (Luise Berlin) [German]
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Handbook - Biographies and Sources (ELHHB)

Bibliography