Hammerschmidt, Andreas. (1611 - 1675)
Geistlicher Diaglogen Ander Theil.
Dresden [Christian Bergen]: Seyfferts Druckerey. 1658. Fourth Edition. Violino Primo [one of six partbooks]. Disbound 8vo, self-printed wrapper. [40] pages, unpaginated. [Aaa 1]-[Eee 4], in 4’s, with title as [3A1]. Overall light toning. Tiny wormhole to inner margin of last gathering, else fine. RISM H1945.Organist of St. Johannis, Zittau, Hammerschmidt is recognized today as "the most representative composer of mid-17th-century German church music" and in 1655 he was described as "world-celebrated" (see J.G. Kraner, New Grove). In 1645, he published his Geistliche Dialoge (Sacred Dialogues) in two volumes. "Conversations with God was held highly by German Lutherans of the mid-seventeenth century, particularly in their search for meaningful devotional activity through internal contemplation and meditation...In the second volume (Ander Theil), which is a setting of the Song of Songs, Hammerschmidt continues the conceit of conversation between the Soul and God, this time cloaked in the erotic imagery of two lovers....Ander Theil consists of fifteen pieces for one to three voices, two to three instruments and continuo...The music itself is an example of the simple yet subtle style that made Hammerschmidt so widely admired." (Jannet Tilley, "Geistlicher Diaglogen. Ander Theil," p. 105)
Rare. RISM records four complete and nine partial sets of the original 1645 edition, but far fewer exemplars of the 1658 edition which is recorded in only one complete and nine incomplete sets, none in the United States. (11142)
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