Short bio Christoph Demantius
Birthday:
1567 in Lieberec, Czech Republic
Died:
1643 in Freiburg, Germany
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Baroque
Full biography Christoph Demantius
Christoph Demantius was a German composer , music theorist, writer and poet who lived between December 15, 1567, and April 20, 1643. He was an exact contemporary of Monteverdi and was known for his contribution to the world of choral music. Demantius received his education in music and theology, and later became a renowned musician, not only in Germany but also in other parts of Europe. He worked as a choirmaster in several cities, including Braunschweig, Zerbst, and Halle, where he served until his death.
Demantius composed and wrote music for a wide range of genres, including sacred vocal works, secular vocal works, and instrumental music. He was primarily known for his choral music, which includes motets, hymns, and sacred songs. Some of his works, such as his “Sacrae Cantiones,” were widely performed in Europe during his lifetime and continue to be performed today.
In addition to composing music, Demantius was also a music theorist and author. He wrote several treatises on music theory and composition, including “Theoria musicae,” which was among the most important music theory works of the late Renaissance. This treatise addressed music theory from several angles, including the dimensions of consonance and dissonance, the classification of intervals, and the ratios of musical intervals.
Demantius was known for his unique composition style, which combined traditional Renaissance harmonies with innovative elements such as chromaticism and word painting. His works are notable for their expressive qualities and emotional depth, which he achieved through the use of harmonic language and the text settings.
Although he is not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, Demantius significantly contributed to the development of music during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Today, his works continue to be studied and performed, and his contributions to choral music are recognized as an important part of the musical canon.
Compositions featuring Christoph Demantius
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aus tieffer Noth à 5 (from Threnodiae, 1620) | 6:21 min | Choral | 1620 |
| 2 | Lass mich o Christ (from Threnodiae, 1620) | 4:37 min | Choral | 1620 |
| 3 | Threnodia "Quis dabit oculis" | 11:06 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | 1611 |
| 4 | Conviviorum deliciae, das ist neue lieblichen Intraden und Aufzüge. . . | Miscellaneous (Classical) | 1608 | |
| 5 | Dixit Dominus à 6 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 4:58 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 6 | Benedicamus Domino à 6 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 2:31 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 7 | Lauda Jerusalem Dominum à 6 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 5:21 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 8 | Laudate Dominum à 6 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 2:49 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 9 | Laudate pueri à 6 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 4:30 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 10 | Hymnus, Veni Sancte Spiritus à 6 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 3:03 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 11 | Deus in adiutorium à 5 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 3:20 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 12 | Magnificat à 3 & 5 (from Trias Precum Vespertinarum, 1602) | 9:13 min | Choral | 1602 |
| 13 | Neue ausserlesene, liebliche, zierliche, polnischer und teutscher Art, Täntze mit und ohne Texten (77), for 4 & 5 voices | Chamber Music | 1601 | |
| 14 | Mein elend thut sich jetzt vermehrn, madrigal for 5 voices | 2:19 min | Choral | - |
| 15 | Mein Hertz und gmüt ist gar in lieb entzündt, madrigal for 5 voices | 3:56 min | Choral | - |
| 16 | Mägdlein wollt Ihr nicht | 2:16 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 17 | Lieblich ich Rörte singen, madrigal for 5 voices | 3:23 min | Choral | - |
| 18 | Jerusalem gaude gaudio magno, motet | 3:24 min | Choral | - |
| 19 | Polnischer tantz No. 1 (Nurnberger Tanzbuch, 1601) | 3:14 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 20 | Noch lass ich mich nit krencken, madrigal for 5 voices | 1:59 min | Choral | - |
| 21 | Intrada prima | 1:52 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 22 | Polnischer tantz No. 3 (Nurnberger Tanzbuch, 1601) | 1:34 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 23 | Polnischer tantz No. 9 (Nurnberger Tanzbuch, 1601) | 1:31 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 24 | Polnischer tantz No. 12 (Nurnberger Tanzbuch, 1601) | 2:11 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 25 | Prophecy of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, for 2 voices, organ & orchestra | 10:27 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 26 | Riches d'amour, for 2 voices | 5:05 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 27 | Sag mir Cupido, madrigal for 5 voices | 4:20 min | Choral | - |
| 28 | St. John Passion, for 2 voices, organ & orchestra | 18:52 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 29 | Steh auf und nimm das Kindlein, motet | 2:20 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 30 | Und wie Moses in der Wüsten, motet | 4:19 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 31 | Vil wollust mit sich bringet, madrigal for 5 voices | 2:06 min | Choral | - |
| 32 | Ein süsser traum mich tet in nachtes ruh umfangen, madrigal for 5 voices | 4:06 min | Choral | - |
| 33 | Amor du kind solst du sein blind, madrigal for 5 voices | 4:00 min | Choral | - |
| 34 | Cathédrale de Reims | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - | |
| 35 | Dance(s) | 7:24 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 36 | Danse Polonaise | 3:04 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 37 | Das ist mir Lieb (Psalm 116), motet for 3 voices | 12:55 min | Choral | - |
| 38 | Denn wer sich selbst erhöhet, motet | 2:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 39 | Der achte tantz | 1:01 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 40 | Der dritte tantz | 1:29 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 41 | Der fünffte tantz | 1:28 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 42 | Der neunde tantz | 1:01 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 43 | Der sechste tantz | 1:31 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 44 | Der zehende tantz | 1:08 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 45 | Intrada Undici | 1:40 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 46 | Es ward eine Stille, motet | 4:42 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 47 | Fürchtet euch nicht | 2:50 min | Choral | - |
| 48 | Galliarda decima | 2:41 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 49 | Galliarda nova | 2:16 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 50 | Galliarda prima | 2:50 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 51 | Galliarda sexta | 1:49 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 52 | Ich habe euch noch viel zu sagen, motet | 2:50 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 53 | Intrada duodecima | 2:13 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 54 | Ach hertzigs hertz harr noch ein weil, madrigal for 5 voices | 3:52 min | Choral | - |
| 55 | Intrada quarta | 3:22 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 56 | Intrada sexta | 1:34 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
Albums featuring Christoph Demantius
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Heinrich Schütz, Michael Praetorius, Johann Hermann Schein, Christopher Demantius – 17th Century Funeral Music(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2015 | Brilliant Classics |
| 2 |  |
Christopher Demantius – KammerChor Saarbrücken, Georg Grün – Johannes-Passion; Motets(CD, ) | 2010 | Christophorus |
| 3 |  |
Christophorus Demantius / Huelgas-Ensemble, Paul Van Nevel – Vêpres De Pentecoste | 2000 | Harmonia Mundi |
| 4 |  |
Michael Praetorius, Hans Leo Haßler, Christopher Demantius, Melchior Franck, Pierre-Francisque Caroubel, Valerius Otto, Samuel Scheidt, Valentin Haussmann, Brass Septet Of The Prague Castle, Josef Šebesta – Dances Of Rudolphian Prague(CD, ) | 1996 | Multisonic |
| 5 |  |
Heinrich Schütz · Praetorius · Schein · Demantius - Schütz-Akademie, Howard Arman – Musikalische Exequien / Trauermusik | 1994 | Berlin Classics |
| 6 |  |
Demantius, Amaryllis Consort, Musica Antiqua – Danses & Madrigaux(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1993 | Disques Pierre Verany |
| 7 |  |
Hammerschmidt • Otto • Tollar • Muffat • Demantius, Musica Bohemica, Jaroslav Krček – Hammerschmidt • Otto • Tollar • Muffat • Demantius, Musica Bohemica, Jaroslav Krček(CD, Album) | 1990 | Panton |
| 8 |  |
von Burck, Herold, Demantius, Ensemble Vocal Sagittarius, Michel Laplénie – Passionen(CD, Stereo) | 1990 | Erato |
| 9 |  |
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Hans Leo Haßler, Johann Hermann Schein, Christopher Demantius, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Max Bruch, Anton Bruckner, Singknaben Der St. Ursen Kathedrale, Peter Scherer (3) – A Cappella Motetten. Schweizer Volkslieder In Den Vi | 1988 | Turicaphon AG |
| 10 |  |
Johann Sebastian Bach, Christoph Demantius, Kammerchor Der Hochschule Der Künste Berlin Leitung: Christian Grube – Jesu, Meine Freude / Jesaja Kapitel 53(LP, Album) | 1983 | Hochschule Der Künste Berlin |
| 11 |  |
Heinrich Schütz, Christopher Demantius, Utrechts Barok Consort, Jos Van Veldhoven – Cantiones Sacrae SWV 56-60 | Johannespassion(LP, Album) | 1981 | Alpha (34) |
| 12 |  |
Demantius, A. Gabrieli, G. Gabrieli, Hassler, Lasso, Morley, Wert, Willaert, Accademia Monteverdiana, Denis Stevens – Amorous Dialogues Of The Renaissance(LP) | 1972 | Nonesuch |
| 13 |  |
Demantius / Lechner – Prophecy Of The Sufferings And Death Of Jesus Christ / History Of The Passion And Suffering Of Our Savior And Redeemer, Jesus Christ | 1969 | Turnabout |
| 14 |  |
Schein • Schütz • Demantius, Spandauer Kantorei, Berlin Dir. Martin Behrmann – Le Psaume 116 | 1968 | CBS |
| 15 |  |
Demantius - Stuttgarter Kantatenchor Leitung: August Langenbeck – Johannes-Passion / Passions-Motetten Alter Meister | 1967 | BASF |
| 16 |  |
Christoph Demantius - N.C.R.V. Vocaal Ensemble, Hilversum, Marinus Voorberg – St John Passion And Prophecy Of The Sufferings And Death Of Jesus Christ / History Of The Suffering And Death Of Jesus Christ | 1966 | Nonesuch |
| 17 |  |
Moderne, Susato, Gervaise, Franck, Hassler, Attaignant, Christoph Demantius – Tanzmusik Der Renaissance | 1961 | Harmonia Mundi |
| 18 |  |
Christoph Demantius, Junge Kantorei Mannheim Leitung: Rolf Schweizer – Johannes-Passion 1631(LP, Album, Mono) | - | Impromptu |
| 19 |  |
Christoph Demantius - N.C.R.V. Vocaal Ensemble Hilversum, Marinus Voorberg – Der 116. Psalm "Das Ist Mir Lieb" / Vier Motetten Aus "Corona Harmonica"(LP) | - | Camerata (2) |
| 20 |  |
Christoph Demantius, N.C.R.V. Vocal Ensemble Hilversum, Marinus Voorberg – Passion According To St. John / Prophecy Of The Suffering And Death Of Jesus Christ / Psalm 116 / Four Motets From "Corona Harmonica"(2×LP) | - | Musical Heritage Society |
| 21 |  |
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Michael Praetorius, Giovanni Maria Bononcini, Samuel Scheidt, Johann Pezel, Christopher Demantius, Gottfried Reiche, Hans Leo Haßler, Giovanni Gabrieli, William Brade, Johannes Kugelmann, Melchior Franck – Turm Bläser Im Golden | - | BASF |
| 22 |  |
Christopher Demantius, Stuttgarter Kantatenchor, August Langenbeck – la Passion Selon Saint - Jean(10", 33 ⅓ RPM) | - | Opus (9) |
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