Simon Lohet
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Simon Lohet (Loxhay) (born c. 1550 – buried 5 July 1611) was a Flemish composer and organist of the late Renaissance, active in Germany. He is best known as one of the earliest exponents of the keyboard fugue.
Lohet's family originates from Liège, and he was probably born in the area. He was appointed organist of the Württemberg court at Stuttgart on 14 September 1571 and remained there until 1601, later becoming responsible for all chapel services and teaching numerous composers, including his son Ludwig and Adam Steigleder. Lohet made several trips to the Low Countries and to Italy in 1581 to buy instruments and music. In 1601 he retired from his post; he remained in Stuttgart until his death.
The bulk of Lohet's small surviving output consists of 20 keyboard fugues. These short four voice pieces are quite unlike the imitative ricercars popular at the time - instead of exploring several subjects in separate sections, most of these fugues explore a single theme in one, rarely two sections. There are numerous instances of stretto entries, diminution and other contrapuntal devices, and so these pieces represent some of the earliest keyboard fugues written. The only other surviving works are two chorales (Erbarm dich mein O Herre Gott and Nun Welche hie ihr hoffnung gar auf Gott den Herren legen) and a canzona, all for keyboard and written in a style reminiscent of the later south German tradition, and keyboard transcriptions of a motet (Media vita in morte) and a chanson (De tout mon coeur). All of these pieces survive in the so-called Woltz tablature of 1617.
[edit] References
- José Quitin, Henri Vanhulst. "Simon Lohet", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy, grovemusic.com.
- J. S. Shedlock, article "The Evolution of the Fugue" from "Proceedings of the Musical Association, 24th Sess. (1897-1898), pp. 109-123.
