Kasper or Caspar Hassler (17 August 1562,
Nuremberg
Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
– 21 June 1618,
Nuremberg
Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
) was a German organist and composer. He was the son of the organist
Isaak Hassler and the brother of the musicians
Jakob Hassler and
Hans Leo Hassler
Hans Leo Hassler (in German, Hans Leo Haßler) (baptized 26 October 1564 – 8 June 1612) was a German composer and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras, elder brother of less known composer Jakob Hassler. He was born in Nü ...
.
Life
Unlike his brothers, Kasper remained in Nuremberg all his life. In 1586 he became organist at the
Egidienkirche, succeeding
Hans Haidens, but he was replaced himself in 1587 by
Wilhelm Endels at Sankt Lorenz. From 1616 until his death he worked as an organist at
St. Sebaldus Church
St. Sebaldus Church (''St. Sebald'', ''Sebalduskirche'') is a medieval church in Nuremberg
Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of B ...
, one of the most prestigious posts in the city. He also worked alongside his brother Hans Leo in the silver and copper mining trade for the first decade of the 17th century.
Though a composer himself, he is mainly notable in the history of music for his publishing work, producing valuable collections of music by Italian and German composers and thus helped to introduce and spread Italian ''
prima prattica
''Stile antico'' (literally "ancient style", ), is a term describing a manner of musical composition from the sixteenth century onwards that was historically conscious, as opposed to ''stile moderno'', which adhered to more modern trends. ''Prima ...
'' to Germany. He was also known to give advice on organs and probably also worked as an organ restorer.
Sources
*http://www.deutsche-biographie.de/sfz31788.html
*http://www.bmlo.lmu.de/Q/GND=132950065
1562 births
1618 deaths
Musicians from Nuremberg
16th-century German composers
17th-century German composers
German organists
German male organists
17th-century male musicians
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