Crüger, Johannes

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Crüger, Johannes (b Gross-Breesen, Prussia, 1598; d Berlin, 1662). Ger. composer and cantor. Became tutor to army captain's family 1616 and entered Univ. of Wittenberg as theology student 1620. Cantor and org., St Nicholas, Berlin, from 1622 till death. Wrote text-book on thoroughbass. Comp. masses, motets, concs., and hymn-tunes. In vol. of hymn-tunes pubd. 1644 occur the famous chorales Nun danket alle Gott, Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, and Jesu, meine Freude, all used later by Bach.