Rosenmüller, Johann (c. 1619–1684)

German composer. He was a prolific and popular composer of both sacred and secular works, and was influential in introducing Italian-style music to Germany.

He studied at Leipzig University and in 1642 became assistant master at St Thomas's School there, studying music with the cantor, Tobias Michael, and acting as his deputy when Michael became infirm. He was marked out for the succession and in 1651 became organist of St Nicholas's Church; but in 1655 was imprisoned for homosexual offences with his choirboys. He escaped to Hamburg and later fled to Venice, where he settled and was influenced as a composer by the local style. There J P Krieger became his pupil. In 1674 he was recalled to Germany by an appointment to the court of Duke Anton Ulrich of Brunswick, at Wolfenbüttel.

Works Church and secular music Masses, motets, vesper psalms and Lamentations, Latin and German motets, Kernsprüche for three–seven voices and instruments, German motets and cantatas, hymns, hymn by Albinus ‘Straf mich nicht’; Sonata da camera for five instruments, sonatas for two–five instruments, suites of instrumental dances.