Heinrich Scheidemann was a prominent German composer and organist linked to the North German school of organ music during the early to mid-17th century. Born in Wöhrden, Holstein, in around 1595, Scheidemann studied under the famous Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck in Amsterdam, which significantly influenced his musical style and expertise. He became well-known as the principal organist at the Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine's Church) in Hamburg, a position he held from 1629 until his death in 1663.

Scheidemann's music is characterized by its inventive use of counterpoint and its rich harmonic language. He left behind a wealth of keyboard works, predominantly for the organ, which have been pivotal in the development of the North German organ school leading into the Baroque period, influencing later composers such as Dieterich Buxtehude and Johann Sebastian Bach. His compositional output includes numerous chorale settings, Magnificats, and free organ works like fantasias, praeludia, and variations. In recent years, the renewed interest in Baroque and Renaissance music has led to a reevaluation of Scheidemann's contributions, with recordings and performances of his work bringing his once-neglected compositions back to the attention of classical music enthusiasts.

Genres

Baroque

German Baroque

German Renaissance

Latest Release

Scheidemann, Organ Works

Heinrich Scheidemann

Album - 15 Tracks - Released April 1, 2020