Michael Altenburg (1584 – 1640) was a German
theologian and composer. He was born at Alach, near
Erfurt. He began attending school in Erfurt in 1590; he
began studying theology at the University of Erfurt in
1598, and was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1599 and a
master's in 1603. From 1600 he taught at the
Reglerschule in Erfurt; he was Kantor at St. Andreas
from 1601 and rector of the school at St. Andreas in
Erfurt from 1607. In 1609 he quit teaching to become a
pastor, moving to Tröchtelb...(+)
Michael Altenburg (1584 – 1640) was a German
theologian and composer. He was born at Alach, near
Erfurt. He began attending school in Erfurt in 1590; he
began studying theology at the University of Erfurt in
1598, and was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1599 and a
master's in 1603. From 1600 he taught at the
Reglerschule in Erfurt; he was Kantor at St. Andreas
from 1601 and rector of the school at St. Andreas in
Erfurt from 1607. In 1609 he quit teaching to become a
pastor, moving to Tröchtelborn and preaching there
until 1621. During this period Altenburg published
music, and was compared to Orlando di Lasso.
After 1621 he moved to Sömmerda, working at the
Bonifaciuskirche. While he continued to publish and was
respected for his compositions, the Thirty Years War
sapped his efforts. In 1636 a massive plague wiped out
most of his congregation, and his wife and ten of his
children died before himself. He returned to Erfurt in
1637, where he remained as deacon and, from 1638,
minister at St Andreas.
Much of Altenburg's compositional output consists of
vocal concertos, motets and chorales.
"Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält" (English: Where
God the Lord stands with us not, original: Wo Gott der
Herr nicht bey uns helt) is a Lutheran hymn by Justus
Jonas, a paraphrase of Psalm 124 in eight stanzas. It
was first published in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridion.
The theme of the psalm is the need of help against
raging enemies. It has been translated also as "Where
the Lord God does not stand (stay) with us", "If God
the Lord is not with us", "If God the Lord is not on
our side", among others.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Altenburg).
Although originally written for 5 parts instrumental
(SSATB) & 1 part vocal or instrumental (T), I created
this Interpretation of the Intrada I. "Wo Gott der Herr
nicht bei uns hält" (Where God the Lord stands with us
not) from "Neuer lieblicher und zierlicher Intraden"
for Wind Sextet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, English
Horn, French Horn & Bassoon).
SHEET MUSIC