A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ahle, Johann

AHLE, Johann Rodolph, church composer, born at Mühlhausen in Thuringia, Dec. 24, 1625; educated at Göttingen and Erfurt. In 1644 he became organist at Erfurt, but soon after settled at his native place, where in 1655 he was appointed member of the senate and afterwards burgomaster. He died in full possession of his powers July 8, 1673. His published compositions include 'Compendium pro tenellis' (1648), a treatise on singing which went through three editions; 'Geistlichen Dialogen,' 'Symphonien, Paduanen, und Balleten'; 'Thuringische Lustgarten,' a collection of church music; 400 'geistlichen Arien,' 'geistlichen Concerte,' and 'Andachten' on all the Sundays and Festivals, etc., etc. He cultivated the simple style of the choral, avoiding polyphonic counterpoint. His tunes were for long very popular, and are still sung in the Protestant churches of Thuringia—amongst others that known as 'Liebster Jesu wir sind hier.' Ahle left a son, Johann Georg, born 1650, who succeeded to his father's musical honours, and was made poet laureate by the Emperor Leopold I. He died Dec. 2, 1706. His hymn tunes were once popular, but are not now in use.

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