Walliser, Christoph Thomas

1568-1648

German church composer and music-director. He was born in Strasburg and died in that city. At the time of his death was vicar and music-director at the cathedral, at St. Thomas Church, and at the University. In 1614 was published his chief work, Kirchengesange oder Psalmen Davids, consisting of fifty German psalms. For a drama of which Elias was the subject and for the tragi-comedy Chariclea he wrote three, four, five to ten-part choruses which are among the very early attempts in Germany to follow the Italian custom of introducing choruses in dramatic pieces.