Aichinger, Gregor (EN)

Aichinger Gregor, *1564 Regensburg, †21 January 1628 Regensburg, German organist and composer.

In 1577 (?) he arrived in Munich, where he studied under O. di Lasso; immediately afterwards, in 1578, he studied at the University of Ingolstadt (studiosus artium). During this time, he established close ties with the Fugger family in Augsburg, and Jacob Fugger (1567–1626) was his long-time patron. Thanks to him, in 1584 he was appointed organist at St. Ulrich’s Church in Augsburg, a position he held until his death; he also organised and conducted chamber concerts at the Fugger family home.

Then, between 1585(?) and 1587, he went to Venice, where he studied under G. Gabrieli and remained in close contact with B. Donato. He spent some time in Rome. Then, between 1588 and 1593, he resumed his university studies (philosophy and theology) in Ingolstadt. He returned to Augsburg in 1593, where he established close contacts with the cathedral chapter. As a result, in 1600 he made a pilgrimage to Rome and was ordained a priest there. After returning to Augsburg, he additionally served (1600–28) as vicar of the cathedral choir, and then, from 1608, as canon of St. Gertraud’s collegiate church; he also held other positions in the hierarchy of the Augsburg church.

Aichinger’s main contribution was the introduction of sacred concertos into German music, both in the form of monumental polychoral works and monodies accompanied by basso continuo. His work shows clear influences from Italian music: initially the polychoral style of the Venetian school, Roman oratorio compositions and canzonettas, especially in Aichinger’s preferred Marian songwriting, and later sacred concertos with basso continuo in the style of Viadana.

Literature: Th. Kroyer Gregor Aichingers Leben und Werke, «Denkmäler der Tonkunst in Bayern» X, 1, 1909; Th. Kroyer Zu Aichingers Faktur-Kontrapunkten, “Caecilienvereinsorgan” XLVI, 1911; Th. Kroyer Gregor Aichinger als Politiker, in Festschrift for P. Wagner, ed. K. Weinmann, Leipzig 1926, reprint Ridgewood (New York) 1969; E.F. Schmid Gregor Aichinger, “Lebensbilder aus dem bayerischen Schwaben” I, 1952; A. Beer G. Aichinger und Ch. Erbach als Orgelgutachter in Ellwangen, “Musik in Bayern” No. 39, 1989.