Peter Hasse der Ältere (* around 1575 in Franken (Franconia); buried June 16, 1640 in Lübeck (Hanseatic League); auch known as Petrus Hasse) was an organist and composer of the north German organ school.
Little is known concerning Hasse's early years. It is possible that he was a student of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. In 1616 he took over the position as main organist at the Lübecker Marienkirche (St Mary's Church in Lübeck) from his predecesor Hermann Ebel. Hasse, together with his successors Franz Tunder and Dieterich Buxtehude, is responsible for Lübeck having became the music center of northern Germany. He received several salary increases through his reputation.
His playing of the organ received an extentsive radiant effect also as a result of his students and sons. Except for his oldest son Johannes, all of his sons became musicians including Nicolaus Hasse. Johannes' daughter Anna Dorothea was married to Nicolaus Bruhns who was a student of Buxtehüde. Peter Hasse der Ältere was the great grandfather of the famous rococo period composer Johann Adolf Hasse. Hasse's works have been only handed down through time in fragments. Two organ hymns, a prelude for organ, a seven part mass as well as an eight part motet have survived.
Source: Wikipedia 04/11/17
Note: Translated from German into the English language.
