Michael Altenburg (1584 – 1640) was a German
theologian and composer. He was born at Alach, near
Erfurt. He began attending school in Erfurt in 1590; he
began studying theology at the University of Erfurt in
1598, and was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1599 and a
master's in 1603. From 1600 he taught at the
Reglerschule in Erfurt; he was Kantor at St. Andreas
from 1601 and rector of the school at St. Andreas in
Erfurt from 1607. In 1609 he quit teaching to become a
pastor, moving to Tröchtelb...(+)
Michael Altenburg (1584 – 1640) was a German
theologian and composer. He was born at Alach, near
Erfurt. He began attending school in Erfurt in 1590; he
began studying theology at the University of Erfurt in
1598, and was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1599 and a
master's in 1603. From 1600 he taught at the
Reglerschule in Erfurt; he was Kantor at St. Andreas
from 1601 and rector of the school at St. Andreas in
Erfurt from 1607. In 1609 he quit teaching to become a
pastor, moving to Tröchtelborn and preaching there
until 1621. During this period Altenburg published
music, and was compared to Orlando di Lasso.
After 1621 he moved to Sömmerda, working at the
Bonifaciuskirche. While he continued to publish and was
respected for his compositions, the Thirty Years War
sapped his efforts. In 1636 a massive plague wiped out
most of his congregation, and his wife and ten of his
children died before himself. He returned to Erfurt in
1637, where he remained as deacon and, from 1638,
minister at St Andreas.
Much of Altenburg's compositional output consists of
vocal concertos, motets and chorales.
"Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr" (Alone to God in the
Highest Be Glory) is an early Lutheran hymn, with text
and melody attributed to Nikolaus Decius. It was
intended as a German version of the Gloria part of the
Latin mass. Decius wrote three stanzas, probably in
1523, while a fourth was added—probably by Joachim
Slüter. It is included in many German hymnals,
including the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches
Gesangbuch and (three stanzas) in the Catholic hymnal
Gotteslob. Catherine Winkworth translated the hymn to
"All glory be to God on high".
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Altenburg).
Although originally written for 5 parts instrumental
(SSATB) & 1 part vocal or instrumental (T), I created
this Interpretation of the Intrada XI: "Allein Gott in
der Höh sei Ehr" (Alone to God in the Highest Be
Glory) from "Neuer lieblicher und zierlicher Intraden"
for Wind Sextet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, English
Horn, French Horn & Bassoon).
SHEET MUSIC