Born: February 21, 1556 - Gorschleben, Germany
Died: November 24, 1615 - Leipzig, Germany

The German musician, astronomer and chronologer, Sethus Calvisius (originally: Seth Kalwitz or Kallwitz), was born of a peasant family at Gorschleben in Thuringia. His poverty interfered greatly with his education, but he contrived to attend the Magdeburg Gymnasium in 1572, and the Universities of Helmstedt (1589) and Leipzig (1580) and to avail himself of every opportunity of musical instruction.

By the exercise of his musical talents Sethus Calvisius earned money enough for the start, at Helmstedt, of a university career. The aid of a wealthy patron enabled him to continue at Leipzig, where he was made 'repetent' at the Pauliner Church in 1581. He became director of the music-school at Pforten in 1582, and served in this post for 12 years. In 1594 he was transferred to Leipzig, where he became Kantor and Schulcollege at the Thomasschule, and music director at the Thomaskirche of Leipzig. He retained this post until his death on the November 24, 1615, despite the offers successively made to him of mathematical professorships at Frankfurt and Wittenberg (1611). So much the music was important to him.

In his Opus Chronologicum (Leipzig, 1605, 7^th ed. 1685) Sethus Calvisius expounded a system based on the records of nearly 300 eclipses. An ingenious, though ineffective, proposal for the reform of the calendar was put forward in his Elenchus Calendarii Gregoriani (Frankfurt, 1612). He is best known for a book on music Melopoeia sive melodiae condendae ratio, quam vulgo musicam poeticam vocant (Erfurt, 1592; Magdeburg, 1630), based on Zarlino's Le istitutioni harmoniche and including a chapter on poetic and musical figures and their relationship. He discusses modes and the history of music theory in Exercitationes musicae duae (tertiae) (Leipzig, 1600 and 1611). He also wrote purely didactic musical treatises. His other treatises are: Compendium musicae practicae… (Leipzig, 1594; 2^nd ed. 1602), Musicae artis praecepta… (Leipzig, 1612; 3^rd ed. of the Compendium).

Sethus Calvisius' music, original and edited, comprises: 'Hymni sacri et germancini', 1594, 'Harmonia cantionum, a M. Luthero… compositarum' (Leipzig, 1597), pedagogical works as 'Bicinia 70', 1599, 'Bicinorum libri duo…' (Do. 1590 and 1612), and 'Tricinia…', (Do. 1603). He also composed 4-part settings of the Psalms and of sacred hymns and songs in Latin and German, such as 'Der 150 Psalm für 12 Stimmen…' (Do. 1615); 'Schwanengesang' for 8 voices, 1616, 'Der Psalter Davids…' (Do. 1617), and a few motets. Many motets and hymns are in manuscript in the library of the Thomasschule, and his pretty 'Joseph, lieber Joseph mein' is in Vol. III of Arion. A full catalogue of manuscripts and editions id in Eitner's Quellen-Lexikon.

Source: Wikipedia Website; HOASM Website; Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1952 Edition, by Sir George Grove)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2005)

Thomaskantors: Thomanerchor Leipzig | Gewandhausorchester Leipzig | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2

Chorale Melodies used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Title

Year

EKG

Zahn

Use of Chorale Melodies in his works

Title

Chorale Melody

Year

Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, 4-pt. setting

Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ

1597

Herr Gott, dich loben wir (Te Deum laudamus)
4-pt. setting for 2 choirs

Herr Gott, dich loben wir [The German Tedeum]

Was mein Gott will, das gscheh allzeit, 4-pt. Setting

Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh allzeit

Links to other Sites

Sethus Calvisius (Wikipedia)
HOASM: Sethus Calvisius [Seth Kalwitz]
Sethus Calvisius (LoveToKnow)

Calvisius, Sethus (Seth Kalwitz) (BBKL) [German]
Sethus Calvisius (Proza Musica) [Dutch]
Calvisius, Sethus (Leipzig Lexikon) [German]

Bibliography

Poets & Composers: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Introduction | Cantatas | Other Vocal | Non-Vocal | Performers | General Topics | Articles | Books | Movies
Biographies | Texts & Translations | Scores | References | Commentary | Music | Concerts | Bach Tour | Memorabilia
Chorale Texts | Chorale Melodies | Lutheran Church Year | Readings | Poets & Composers | Transcriptions
Search Website | Search Works/Movements | Terms & Abbreviations | Copyright Notice | How to contribute | Links