Homilius, Gottfried August

1714-1785

Born at Rosenthal, on the frontier of Bohemia. He was a pupil of J. S. Bach, and became the teacher of Adam Hiller. Very little is known of his life. He entered the university of Leipsic in 1735, and in 1742 became organist of the Frauenkirche, Dresden, and in 1755 director of music in the three principal churches there. He was also cantor of the Kreuzschule and brought its choir to a high state of perfection. He was one of the most celebrated organists and composer of sacred music of his time. His motets are model compositions and form his most important work. Not much of his music has been published, though many copies have been taken of his works. Most of his compositions are in the Royal Library at Berlin, and some are in the archives of the Kreuzchor at Dresden. Killer has published a collection of his works containing some motets, a cantata on the passion of our Saviour and one on the rejoicing of the shepherds on the birth of Jesus.