composer who is considered the most varied and original master of the German Baroque song. He was educated at Leipzig, where he was organist at St. Nicholas church. From 1657 he was in Dresden as court organist to the elector of Saxony. His surviving compositions are mostly secular, although in his lifetime his sacred works were known first. His Arien (1657; Airs), some on his own texts, are for one to three voices and continuo (cello and harpsichord), often with short instrumental passages (ritornelli) between stanzas. A further set, Neue Arien (1667; New Airs) for two to five voices, was published after his death.