Bruhns, Nicolaus

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Bruhns, Nicolaus

Bruhns, Nicolaus, German violinist, organist, and composer; b. Schwabstedt, 1665; d. Husum, March 29, 1697. He studied organ and composition with Buxte-hude in Lübeck, and then traveled to Copenhagen, where he served as a church organist. In 1689 he moved to Husum and was appointed organist at the Cathedral there. He was reputed to be an inventive virtuoso who could play the violin while providing the basso continuo on organ pedals. He was a reputable composer, his 12 church cantatas being particularly notable; he also wrote fugues and chorales for organ.

Bibliography

H. Kolsch, N.B.(Kassel, 1958); M. Geek, N.B.: Leben und Werk (Cologne, 1968).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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