1584–1635 · Germany · Baroque
Melchior Teschner was a German composer and cantor who lived from 1584 to 1635. He was born in Wschowa, worked as a cantor and later as a pastor, and wrote melodies for church hymns. Among them is the melody of 1613 for the hymn "Valet will ich dir geben". The site offers his choir score at the "Beginner+" level.
Melchior Teschner was born on 29 April 1584 in Wschowa. He went to school at the gymnasium in Zittau (Saxony), taught by Johann Klee.
In 1602 he began studying at Frankfurt an der Oder under Bartholomäus Gesius, where he took up music, philosophy and theology. During his years of service in Schmiegel he also studied, with interruptions, in Helmstedt and Wittenberg.
In 1605 Teschner became cantor in Schmiegel, in the province of Posen. He held the post until 1608.
For five years from 1609 he was cantor of the Protestant church "Kripplein Christi" in his home town of Wschowa. Valerius Herberger was working there as pastor at the same time.
In 1613 an epidemic of plague was raging in Silesia. During that time Teschner wrote a melody for Herberger's hymn "Valet will ich dir geben", a hymn about death.
From 1614 Teschner served as pastor of the church in the village of Oberpritschen, now called Przyczyna Górna, in Poland. He died there.
Teschner died on 1 December 1635. He was killed when Cossacks attacked the village.
Teschner composed tunes for church hymns. Among them is the melody of 1613 for the hymn "Valet will ich dir geben". He is also known for a tune for the psalm "O Seigneur, que de gens" and for two wedding songs.
His hymns also include "Die Segenshände breite, Herr, über unser Haus" and "O lasset uns Ihn lieben, der uns zuerst geliebt", written in 1613.
The tune of "Valet will ich dir geben" was likewise used for "All Glory, Laud and Honor". In 1954 it was also used for "Den Herren will ich loben", a paraphrase of the Magnificat by Maria Luise Thurmair.
The site has a choir score for SATB chorus, "St. Theodulph (hymntune)", at the "Beginner+" level.