Jacob Handl

Born: 1550 in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Died: July 18, 1591, probably in Prague

Assignments: ca. 1585, court singer for Maximillian II of Vienna; 1586, Kantor at St. Jan na Brzeha in Prague

Best known for: Conservative yet forward-looking compositional techniques utilizing both major and minor diatones. His works are masterful fusions of the Italianate and Dutch-influenced styles and represent an archetype of his period. Handl also penned some 445 motets.

Notable compositions: Selectiores quaedam missae (4 books), 1580 Opus musicum (4 books), 1586–91 O Herre Gott, 1587 Harmoniae morales (3 books), 1589–90