Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (c. 1620–1680)

Abstract

Heinrich Schmelzer was the first non-Italian Imperial Kapellmeister at the Habsburg court in Vienna and the most important Austrian composer before Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, who was possibly his pupil. Much of this sonata is in the form of a Passacaglia, although not named as such. Suggestions are made as to the pacing of such movements: respecting their broader architecture will maintain interest but may necessitate some initial restraint. The bulk of this lesson is its “Observations” section, with detailed remarks about almost every bar. There is information on the etymology of the word ‘Guige’ (Jig) and its relation to ‘geige’ (violin) and a discussion on the possible relevance of tactus to the sonata. Following the Passacaglia, the quasi-recitative section contains the most intimate musical thoughts of the sonata and is its spiritual core. An Afterthought deals with the common problem of inconsistency within a composer’s work and whether it should be respected or ‘corrected.’