Hans Leo Hassler

Hans Leo Hassler was baptized on October 26, 1564, in Nuremberg, Holy Roman Empire, the son of organist Isaak Hassler. Recognized early for his keyboard virtuosity, Hassler traveled to Venice in 1584, becoming the first of a long line of German composers (including Heinrich Schütz) to study in Italy. Under the tutelage of Andrea Gabrieli and alongside his classmate Giovanni Gabrieli, Hassler absorbed the majestic polychoral style and brilliant instrumental textures of the Venetian School.

Returning to Germany in 1585, Hassler was appointed chamber organist to the wealthy Fugger family in Augsburg. In 1601, he was appointed director of town music in Nuremberg, and in 1608 became court organist to the Elector of Saxony in Dresden. Hassler was equally revered in Protestant and Catholic circles. His collection 'Cantiones sacrae' (1591) and 'Lustgarten Neuer Teutscher Gesäng' (1601) achieved international fame. From 'Lustgarten', his secular love song 'Mein G'müt ist mir verwirret' ('My Mind is Confused by a Maiden') was later adapted into the sacred hymn 'O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden' ('O Sacred Head, Now Wounded'), which Johann Sebastian Bach used five times in his monumental 'St. Matthew Passion'.