Caspar Kittel

Full biography Caspar Kittel

Caspar Kittel was a German composer who lived during the Baroque period. He was born in 1603 in Memmingen, a town in southern Germany, and worked as the court organist and director of music at the ducal court in Stuttgart for much of his life.

Kittel's early musical training began in his hometown, where he studied with his father, who was also a musician. He later traveled to Italy in the early 1620s to study composition, where he was heavily influenced by the works of Italian composers such as Claudio Monteverdi.

Upon returning to Germany, Kittel was appointed as the court organist in Stuttgart in 1627, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the best organists in the country. He also served as the director of music at the ducal court, where he composed music for religious services and courtly celebrations.

Kittel's music was heavily influenced by the Italian Baroque style, which he combined with more traditional German forms to create a unique sound. His works were highly regarded during his lifetime and were frequently performed in churches and courts throughout Germany.

Today, Kittel's music is still performed and studied by Baroque enthusiasts and scholars. His most famous compositions include his sacred vocal music, such as his Passion settings and choral works, as well as his keyboard music, which includes several suites for harpsichord. Overall, Kittel left a remarkable legacy as one of the most important Baroque composers in Germany during the seventeenth century.