Andreas Hammerschmidt (1611 – 1675), who served for decades as organist at St. Johannis in Zittau, was one of the most prolific and popular composers of the 17th century. His works – sacred choral and ensemble music, as well as chamber music, songs, and dances – often appeared in several editions, which renowned contemporaries – including the Dresden court kapellmeister Heinrich Schütz and the Hamburg poet Johann Rist – prefaced with words of praise. Primarily due to the sheer volume – more than 700 compositions have been documented – Hammerschmidt's oeuvre is only partially explored to date.
The tribute is held annually to foster early music in cooperation between the City of Zittau, the Evangelical Lutheran Church District of Löbau-Zittau, the Dreiländereck District Music School, and the Euroregional Culture Center e.V.
The event is funded and supported by the Kulturraum Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien, the Evangelical Lutheran Church District of Löbau-Zittau, the Carl Maria von Weber College of Music Dresden in honor of Andreas Hammerschmidt, and the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony. This measure is co-financed by tax funds based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.
