Praetorius Concert – Ensemble Weser-Renaissance

Michael Praetorius — Wolfenbüttel Court Composer

Michael Praetorius (1571–1621) is one of the most significant composers of the early Baroque period and the late Renaissance. Born in Creuzburg an der Werra, he worked from 1604 until his death in 1621 as Kapellmeister at the court of the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg in Wolfenbüttel. His extensive work includes sacred vocal music (including the famous collection "Polyhymnia"), dance and instrumental music (the "Terpsichore" book), as well as the theoretical masterpiece "Syntagma Musicum," which remains an important source for historical performance practice to this day.

Ensemble Weser-Renaissance

The Ensemble Weser-Renaissance, founded by Bremen harpsichordist Manfred Cordes, is one of Germany's most distinguished specialist ensembles for Renaissance and early Baroque music. Using historical instruments and at the highest stylistic level, the ensemble has been exploring a broad repertoire of this era for decades and has gained an international reputation, particularly for its Praetorius interpretations. Under the direction of Manfredo Kraemer, the concert in Wolfenbüttel combines the highest quality with special historical authenticity.

BMV and its Praetorius Organ

The historic organ of the Hauptkirche BMV was built in 1624 – just three years after Praetorius's death – and is one of the oldest surviving organs in Northern Germany. Praetorius himself could no longer play this instrument, but his musical legacy and theoretical writings continue to shape the approach to historical organs of this period. The concert in the BMV is therefore also a tribute to this acoustic space, which keeps the Wolfenbüttel court music of the early 17th century alive.