Heaven Is My Fatherland

“Siegfried Vogelsänger wrote his brief 2008 Praetorius biography as a ‘compendium in layperson’s terms for music lovers and music scholars alike.’ Rev. Biebert not only translates this excellent resource, but provides annotations giving insights into the theological roots from which Praetorius’s music sprang. Appendices offer new translations of relevant prefaces and contemporary documents. As a one-stop resource this book is without peer and will greatly benefit English-language Praetorius scholarship.”


—Margaret Boudreaux, Professor Emerita of Music, McDaniel College





“At last, a rich trove of information about Michael Praetorius for English-speaking audiences! Heaven Is My Fatherland opens the door not only to Praetorius’s life and music, but also the milieu in which he lived and worked. This clearly written, richly annotated, and beautifully illustrated book will fascinate anyone with an interest in German music circa 1600.”


—Sara Schneider, Producer and Host of Early Music Now





“This translation of Vogelsänger’s biography of Michael Praetorius is a most welcome addition to our understanding of this important Lutheran composer. . . . In pursuit of his craft, one sees an eager, energetic, inventive, creative, eccentric personality at work! A must-read for Lutheran musicians.”


—Kermit Moldenhauer, Professor Emeritus of Music, Martin Luther College