Johann Hildebrand

Who was Johann Hildebrand?

Johann Hildebrand, also Hildebrandt was a German composer, organist, and poet.

He became organist of St Nikolai in Eilenburg in 1637, a post he held until his death. He worked as both a poet and composer, arguing that "noble music and poetry should be readily compatible," although he was not widely recognized as a poet.

He is remembered primarily for his peace motet: "Krieges-Angst-Seufftzer" bey itzigen grund-bösen kriegerischen Zeiten instendig zu gebrauchen, based on Bible verses and original poetry by the composer. Apart from that and a funeral piece from 1648, other possible attributions may have been confused with the works of Johann Heinrich Hildebrand, the Kantor at Ohrdruf; and it remains uncertain who wrote them.