Johann Spangenberg (Composer, Hymn-writer)

Born: March 30, 1484 - Hardegsen, Hannover, Germany
Died: June 13, 1550 - Eisleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.

Johann [Johannes] Spangenberg was a Geman theologian and composer and hymn-writer. After studying at Erfurt University he became preacher at Stolberg. He was first Protestant pastor of Hardegsen, 1521; preacher/pastor in St Blasius’ Church at Nordhausen, 1524; and thence in 1546 passed to Eisleben as Superintendent. He died there in 1550. He published Lutheran church songs in his Alte und Newe Geistliche Lieder und Lobgesenge, von der Geburt Christi unsers Herrn, Für die Junge Christen (Erfurt, 1544); also a little book on musical theory for use at the school of Nordhausen. His son is the hymn-writer Cyriakus Spangenberg.

Source: Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1952 Edition)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (October 2018)

Texts of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

BWV 65/2 (?); BWV 371 (?)

Chorale Texts used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Ein Kind geborn zu Bethlehem (1543; probable author)

Gott, durch deine Güte (1544) [not used by J.S. Bach]

Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit (1541; NLGB 423ff; EG 178.04; ELG 21; probable author)

Chorale Melodies used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Gott, durch deine Güte (1544)

Use of Chorale Melodies in his works

Links to other Sites

Bibliography