Herbst, John Andreas

, an eminent practical and theoretical German musician, was born at Nuremberg. In | 1628 he was appointed chapel-master at Francfort on the Maine, and continued in that station till 1641, when he was called to the same office at Nuremberg. However, in 1650 he thought fit to return to Francfort, at the solicitation of the magistrates and others his friends; and being by them re-instated in his former dignity, he continued in that station till the time of his death, in 1660. He was excellently skilled in the theory of music, and in the art of practical composition, and was a sound and judicious organist. In 1643 he published, in the German language, a book entitled “Musica Poetica” and, ten years after, a translation, either from the Latin or the Italian, for it is extant in both languages, of the “Arte prattica e poetica of Giov. Chiodino,” in ten books. Herbst was also the author of a tract entitled “Musica njoderna prattica, overo maniere del buon canto,” printed at Francfort in 1658, in which he recommends the Italian manner of singing. His other works are, a small tract on Thoroughbass, and a discourse on counterpoint, containing directions for composing “a mente non a penna.” Of his musical compositions, all that are extant in print are, “Meletemata sacra Davidis,” and “Suspiria S. Gregorii ad Christum,” for three voices. These were printed in 1619, as was also a nameless composition by him for six voices. ¹