Johann jakob froberger biography of michael

(1616 - 1667)

Keyboardist and composer.

Johann jakob froberger biography of michael

Probably studied with his father, Kapellmeister at Stuttgart, and possibly also with local organists Steigleder and Eckhardt. Shortly before the musically talented and accomplished Ferdinand III was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1637, Froberger was appointed a court organist at Vienna, continuing in Imperial service for the next 20 years.

However, he often spent long periods away from Vienna, beginning in the late summer of 1637 when be received a stipend to study with Frescobaldi in Rome through 1641; returned to Vienna as organist, 1641-45. He seems from 1645 to 1653 to have travelled extensively through various German states, Italy, the Low Countries, France and even England.

During his travels, he perhaps visited Italy again in 1649, making contact with Carissimi at Rome and performing in Florence and Mantua; back in Vienna, a presentation manuscript of his keyboard works dedicated to Emperor Ferdinand III