Johann Beer

Johann Beer (also spelled Bähr, Baer, or Behr, Latinized as Ursus or Ursinus; (28 February 1655, in Sankt Georgen – 6 August 1700, in Weissenfels) was an Austrian author, court official and composer.

Biography

Beer was born in Austria to Protestant parents. In 1676 he entered the service of Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels as a countertenor. In 1700 he died, aged 45, as the result of a hunting accident.

His comic writings are reminiscent of Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen.

His work of music theory Musikalische Discurse reveals German baroque performance practice.

Works and editions

Comic novels

• Der Simplicianische Welt-Kucker. The Simplician World-Observer 4 Vols. Halle and Saale 1677–79
• Der Abenteuerliche Ritter Hopffen-Sach. The adventurous Knight Hop-Sack. Halle 1678
• Der Politische Feuermäuer-Kehrer. Leipzig 1682
• Teutsche Winternächte. Nuremberg 1682, English translation German winter nights 1988.

Music theory

• Musikalische Discurse durch die Philosophie deducirt

Music

• Missa S. Marcellini for 8 soloists and double choir.
• Concerto a 4 for posthorn, hunting horn, and strings in B-flat.

See also

• List of Austrian writers

References