Born: June 13, 1592 - Dresden, Germany
Died: June 26, 1657 - Leipzig, Germany

The German composer, Tobias Michael, was first a soprano singer at the court chapel in Dresden, and receiving his further education at Schulpforta and Wittenberg. In 1619 he became Kapellmeister of the Neue Kirche at Sondershausen. From 1631 he was Kantor and Musikdirector of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, succeeding Johann Hermann Schein.

Tobias Michael's principal works are the two volumes Musicalische Seelenlust (1634-1637), which are Italianate in style. The first (Erster Theil) contains 30 German motets for five voices and continuo, the second (Ander Theil) 50 pieces (sacred concertos), a 1-6, in the concerto style for voices and instruments. He also composed sacred songs and occasional works.

Tobias Michael's father, Rogier (c1552 - 1619 or later), was court Kapellmeister at Dresden from 1587 (where Heinrich Schütz was his assistant and Johann Hermann Schein his pupil) and composer of sacred histories, chorale settings, motets etc. His brothers Christian (c1593-1637) and Samuel (c1597-1632) were also composers. Samuel was organist of the Nikolaikirche, Leipzig (1628-32); Christian succeeded him in 1633.

Source: Grove Concise Dictionary of Music (© 1994 by Oxford University Press); Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1952 Edition, by Rev. J.R. Milne)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2005, February 2006)

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