Steuerlein, Johann

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Steuerlein, Johann

Steuerlein, Johann, German organist, poet, and composer; b. Schmalkalden, Thuringia, July 5, 1546; d. Meiningen, May 5, 1613. He studied at the Magdeburg grammar school (1559–62) and at the Univ. of Wittenberg; concurrently served as a chancery clerk in Burg-breitungen; then was town clerk, organist, and Kantor in Wasungen, near Mainingen (1569–89); subsequently was chancellery secretary to the Elector of Saxony in Meiningen (from 1589), where he was made public notary and mayor in 1604; also was crowned poet laureate. He remains best known for the celebrated song Das alte Jahr vergangen ist for 6 Voices. He also pubi, many vols, of vocal music.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire