Johann Beer (also spelled Bähr, Baer, or Behr, Latinized as Ursus or Ursinus; (28 February 1655, in Sankt Georgen – 6 August 1700, in Weissenfels) was an Austrian author, court official and composer.[1]

Johann Beer by
Peter Schenk the Elder

Biography

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Beer was born in Austria to Protestant parents. In 1676 he entered the service of Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels as a countertenor. In 1700 he died, aged 45, as the result of a hunting accident.[2]

His comic writings are reminiscent of Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen.

His work of music theory Musikalische Discurse reveals German baroque performance practice.[3]

Works and editions

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Comic novels

  • Der Simplicianische Welt-Kucker. The Simplician World-Observer 4 Vols. Halle and Saale 1677–79
  • Der Abenteuerliche Ritter Hopffen-Sach. The adventurous Knight Hop-Sack. Halle 1678
  • Der Politische Feuermäuer-Kehrer. Leipzig 1682
  • Teutsche Winternächte. Nuremberg 1682, English translation German winter nights 1988.[4]

Music theory

  • Musikalische Discurse durch die Philosophie deducirt

Music

  • Missa S. Marcellini for 8 soloists and double choir.[5]

References

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  1. ^ James N. Hardin Johann Beer 1983
  2. ^ Ferdinand van Ingen, Hans-Gert Roloff, Ulrike Wels Johann Beer: Schriftsteller, Komponist und Hofbeamter, 1655-1700 2003
  3. ^ e.g. Philipp Spitta Johann Sebastian Bach: his work and influence 1951 "Johann Bahr, who was in his time Concert-meister at Weissenfels, says that one man conducts with the foot, another with the head, a third with the hand, some with both hands, some again take a roll of paper, and others a stick."
  4. ^ German winter nights Johann Beer, John Raymond Russell - 1998
  5. ^ edition - für 8 Solisten, 2 vierstimmige Chöre und Instrumente. Erstausgabe von Ursula Jürgens