Fridolin Sicher

Who was Fridolin Sicher?

Fridolin Sicher was a Swiss composer and organist of the Renaissance era. He was born in Bischofszell and began his study of the organ at the age of 13 with Martin Vogelmaier, the organist of Konstanz Cathedral. He then studied theology and in 1510 became a prebend and organist at St Agnes Church in Bischofszell. He later returned to Konstanz for further study with Hans Buchner. Sicher went on to become the organist of the collegiate church of St Gallen and of St Michael's Church in Ensisheim. He returned to Bischofszell in 1537, where he was made both organist and chaplain of St Agnes Church.

His St Gallen Organ Book contains 176 mainly pieces, predominantly of sacred music, by over 90 Renaissance composers. Of those pieces, 110 are transcriptions of vocal works including his own composition, Resonet in laudibus, as well as works by Busnoys, Josquin, Weerbeke, Agricola, Compère, Isaac, Brumel, La Rue, Mouton, Obrecht, Pipelare and others. In 1546 Sicher had surgery from which he never recovered and died in the city of his birth at the age of 50.