Kindermann, Johann Erasmus

1616-1655

Early German composer, principally of church-music, whose best known work, Harmonia Organica in Tabulaturam Germanican Composita, is one of the oldest samples of German copper-plate engraving in existence. He was born at Nuremberg, probably about 1616, though that date is uncertain and there is some reason to believe an earlier one more probable. Was the organist of St. Egidius, at Nuremberg and was well known in his time. Most of his music was written for the church and the old tablature form of notation was used, but he also composed some choruses and instrumental music not for the church. His organ works are of some value as examples of the old form of organ-playing and composition.