Hans Leo Hassler

1564-1612. Probably the ablest German composer of the Renaissance. He studied in Venice with Andrea Gabrieli and was much influenced by the latter's distinguished nephew, Giovanni.* His music is notable for its melodic charm. Hassler was active in Augsburg and Nuremberg. He wrote music for both Lutherans and Catholics, some of which might have been used in either form of worship. Notable are his settings of great Lutheran chorales in both simple and elaborate motet style. The well-known Passion chorale (sung now to “O Sacred Head”) is his melody, originally composed for secular words, but adapted by him as a church tune.