P. Sebastian Ertel and His Sacred Works

Abstract

The Styrian – Upper-Austrian composer Sebastian Ertel (c. 1550/60 Mariazell – 13 July 1618 Garsten) appears in the literature only in the form of a brief outline of his biography and a catalogue raisonné of his music that omits some items. Nevertheless, he is a well-known figure in Styria and Upper Austria. He left an extensive collection of sacred compositions written in 1611–1617, most of which, however, have not yet been thoroughly analysed. Other than one single musical print for the organ and a few private manuscript “transcriptions” there are no musical scores or new published editions of his works that can be used in performances today. The article provides information on the identity of the Benedictine father Sebastian Ertel and on what connects him to the famous Parnassus Musicus Ferdinandaeus collection of 1615.

Keywords

• venetian music
• parody magnificat compositions
• parody masses
• marian hymns
• double choir
• counter-reformation