Johann Schelle

Full biography Johann Schelle

Johann Schelle was a German Baroque composer who lived from 1648 to 1701. He was born and raised in Saxony and received his early musical training as a choirboy in Dresden under the tutelage of Heinrich Schütz. Schelle later studied at the University of Leipzig, where he earned a degree in music.

Following his studies, Schelle worked as a musician in several cities, including Leipzig and Freiberg. In 1677, he was appointed as the music director at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, succeeding Sebastian Knüpfer. During his tenure, Schelle composed a large number of liturgical works, including cantatas, motets, and passions. He also served as a teacher and mentor to several notable composers, including Johann Kuhnau and Georg Philipp Telemann.

Schelle's music is characterized by its expressive harmonies, bold use of dissonance, and innovative use of instrumental accompaniment. He was known for his ability to weave together different musical textures and create dramatic contrasts between soloists and chorus. Despite his significant contributions to Baroque music, Schelle's work is not as well known as some of his contemporaries, such as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.

Today, Johann Schelle is recognized as an important figure in the development of Protestant church music in Germany during the late seventeenth century. His compositions are still performed and recorded by choirs and ensembles around the world, and he remains an influential figure in the history of Western classical music.