Philipp Nicolai | |
|---|---|
 Portrait fromDeorum Dearumque byHans Vredeman de Vries, 1573. | |
| Born | (1556-08-10)10 August 1556 |
| Died | 26 October 1608(1608-10-26) (aged 52) |
| Education | University of Erfurt |
| Occupations | |
| Known for | |
Philipp Nicolai (10 August 1556 – 26 October 1608) was a GermanLutheranpastor, poet, and composer. He is most widely recognized as ahymnodist.[1][2]
Philipp Nicolai was born atMengeringhausen inWaldeck, where his father was a Lutheran pastor. His early education include studies atKassel,Hildesheim andDortmund. He studied theology at theUniversity of Erfurt where he was a pupil ofLudwig Helmbold.[3]
In 1583, he was ordained to the Lutheran ministry and was appointed minister atHerdecke. He was subsequently expelled during theCounter-Reformation. In 1588, he became pastor at Altwildungen in Hesse. He graduated with a Doctorate Degree in Theology from theUniversity of Wittenberg in 1594. In 1596, he became the minister atUnna inWestphalia. In 1601, he was elected chief pastor ofSt. Catherine's Church (Katharinenkirche) inHamburg.[4][5]
Nicolai died in Hamburg on 26 October 1608, at age 52.
He was the author of two famoushymns: "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" and "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern", sometimes referred to as the King and Queen of Chorales, respectively. These twochorales have inspired many composers, includingJohann Sebastian Bach, whosechorale cantatasWie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, andWachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, are based on them.[6] Bach'sorgan transcription of the latter, as published in theSchübler Chorales, has become world famous. Nicolai is supposed to be the last example of theMeistersinger tradition, in which words and music, text and melody stem from one and the same person.[7][8]
Philipp Nicolai is commemorated in theCalendar of Saints of theLutheran Church on 26 October together withhymnodistsJohann Heermann andPaul Gerhardt.
