composer

Handl, Jacob

Nationality: Slovenian
Date of birth: 1550
Date of death: 1591

Jacob Handl (latinized to Jacobus Gallus) was a Slovenian composer and Cistercian monk. He was born in 1550 in Rimnica in the former Austrian crown land Krain. He was raised in a Slovenian monastery where he got his musical education. Until his 29th year he lived in the famous abbey of Melk (Austria). From here he became member of the Viennese Court chapel and was also promoted to chapel master for the Bishop of Olomouc (today’s Czech Republic). From 1586 he was cantor in Prague, where he died in 1591.
Handl wrote mostly sacred music, although there are 100 madrigals left from his hand. Furthermore he wrote 16 masses, 174 motets, 144 of which in this collection of motets for feasts of all Saints through the liturgical year.