Adam Krieger

Who was Adam Krieger?

Adam Krieger was a German composer. Born in Driesen, Neumark, he studied organ with Samuel Scheidt in Halle. He succeeded Johann Rosenmüller as organist at Leipzig's Nikolaikirche and founded the city's Collegium Musicum before settling for the rest of his career in Dresden.

Krieger composed and versified numerous songs. His fame rests on his pioneering role in the development of the solo Lied. His first collection of songs appeared in 1657; they are marked by simple folk-like melodies. His second collection of Arien survives and has been edited in vol. 19 of Denkmäler deutscher Tonkunst. His most famous song is "Nun sich der Tag geendet hat", which may be found in the hymnal of the Lutheran church.

Adam Krieger is unrelated to the later German composers Johann Philipp Krieger and Johann Krieger.