Balthasar Schnurr (Hymn-Writer, Composer)

Born: February 25, 1572 - Lendsiedel, Franconia, Germany
Died: November 1644 - Hengstfeld, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

The German hymn-write and composer, Balthasar s. Schnurr, was the eldest son of Joseph S. Schnurr. In Fröschstockheim, where the father was the Pastor, he spent his youth and enjoyed the first lesson in the newly rebuilt school. Here he was also successor of his father came later as Pastor, serving afterwards in similasr post in Amlishagen, in his native town of Lendsiede, and finally in Hengstfeld, where he died in 1624, after another indication 1644th

Information about Balthasar Schnurr’s abilities as a composer of chorale melodies can not be confirmed independently - both the MGG1 and Grove Music Online make no reference anywhere to this name. An online Google search did substantiate the existence of a father and son by the same name. The son, Balthasar Schnurr, jr., was a pastor in Hengstfeld and was forced by the events of the 30-Years War to flee to Crailsheim and Burleswagen in 1642 (according to the source below, he died in 1644.) Probably the same pastor is referred to in another independent report as the pastor, Balthasar Schnurr who received a laurel crown as recognition for his efforts as a poet in Hengstfeld in 1626/1627. No mention is made of any musical abilities.

Source: A[lbert] F. W. Fischer, Kirchenlieder-Lexikon: hymnologisch-literarische Nachweisungen über ca. 4500 der wichtigsten und verbreitetsten Kirchenlieder aller Zeiten in alphabetischer Folge nebst einer Übersicht der Liederdichter, Band II, Gotha 1879, S. 473; German Wikisourse (December 2015), Ja:
Contributed by Thomas Braatz (August 2005); Eberhard Nehlsen (January 2016); Aryeh Oron (January 2016), English translation by Aryeh Oron (January 2016)

Texts of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

BWV 46

Chorale Texts used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Title

Year

EKG

Zahn

O großer Gott von Macht

Chorale Melodies used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Title

Year

EKG

Zahn

O großer Gott von Macht

Use of Chorale Melodies in his works

Title

Chorale Melody

Year

Links to other Sites

ADB:Schnurr, Balthasar (Wikisource) [German]

Bibliography