Georg Österreich
Encyclopedia
Georg Österreich was a German Baroque composer
and collector. He is regarded as the founder of the so-called Sämmlung Bokemeyer which is now housed in the Staatsbibliothek
in Berlin and is considered one of the most important music collections of the late 17th and early 18th century.
The son of a brewer, he received his first music lessons from his godfather, Magdeburg
singer Johann Scheffler. With Scheffler's recommendation he was accepted at the Thomasschule zu Leipzig
. His teacher Johann Schelle
recognized the child's extraordinary talent. As a result, Österreich left Leipzig
in 1680, and moved to Hamburg
where he continued his musical education. At the same time he became the violinist in the Gänsemarktoper. In the fall of 1683 he enrolled at the University of Leipzig
and a year later his was recognized again, this time as a tenor at the Hamburg opera. In 1689 he was hired as Kapellmeister
for the Duke of Schleswig-Gottorf.
Österreich was a passionate music collector, accumulating a considerable number of works from 1670 to 1730, which form the basis of the Sammlung Bokemeyer. This collection is currently held at the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin. It is considered invaluable because it is often the only source of many works by famous composers including Dietrich Buxtehude, Nicolaus Bruhns
, Johann Rosenmüller
, Matthias Weckmann
, Vincent Lübeck
and Johann Philipp Krieger.
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
and collector. He is regarded as the founder of the so-called Sämmlung Bokemeyer which is now housed in the Staatsbibliothek
Staatsbibliothek
Staatsbibliothek is the German word for state library. Another term often used is Landesbibliothek. Both types of library refer to the general type of regional libraries in tradition of the States of Germany...
in Berlin and is considered one of the most important music collections of the late 17th and early 18th century.
The son of a brewer, he received his first music lessons from his godfather, Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
singer Johann Scheffler. With Scheffler's recommendation he was accepted at the Thomasschule zu Leipzig
Thomasschule zu Leipzig
St. Thomas School, Leipzig is a co-educational and public boarding school in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. It was founded by the Augustinians in 1212 and is one of the oldest schools in the world.St. Thomas is known for its art, language and music education...
. His teacher Johann Schelle
Johann Schelle
Johann Schelle was a German baroque composer.Schelle was born in Geising and died in Leipzig. He was the cantor of the Thomanerchor from 1677 to 1701....
recognized the child's extraordinary talent. As a result, Österreich left Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
in 1680, and moved to Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
where he continued his musical education. At the same time he became the violinist in the Gänsemarktoper. In the fall of 1683 he enrolled at the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
and a year later his was recognized again, this time as a tenor at the Hamburg opera. In 1689 he was hired as Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots Kapelle and Meister . The words Kapelle and Meister derive from the Latin: capella and magister...
for the Duke of Schleswig-Gottorf.
Österreich was a passionate music collector, accumulating a considerable number of works from 1670 to 1730, which form the basis of the Sammlung Bokemeyer. This collection is currently held at the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin. It is considered invaluable because it is often the only source of many works by famous composers including Dietrich Buxtehude, Nicolaus Bruhns
Nicolaus Bruhns
Nicolaus Bruhns was a German organist, violinist, and composer. He was one of the most prominent organists and composers of his generation.-Life:...
, Johann Rosenmüller
Johann Rosenmüller
Johann Rosenmüller , was a German Baroque composer, who played a part in transmitting Italian musical styles to the north....
, Matthias Weckmann
Matthias Weckmann
Matthias Weckmann was a German musician and composer of the Baroque period. He was born in Niederdorla and died in Hamburg.- Life :...
, Vincent Lübeck
Vincent Lübeck
Vincent Lübeck was a German composer and organist. He was born in Padingbüttel and worked as organist and composer at Stade's St. Cosmae et Damiani and Hamburg's famous St. Nikolai , where he played one of the largest contemporary organs...
and Johann Philipp Krieger.