Erasmus Widmann (1572-1634) was born in Hall (modern-day Germany) and studied in Tübingen. His first musical positions were in Eisenerz (1595) and Graz (1596), Austria. The counterreformation of the Habsburgers forced his return to Hall, where he codirected the Hall Latin School. In 1602 he was brought to the court of Count Wolfgang von Hohenlohe as kapellmeister and organist at Weikersheim. After the death of his patron he became cantor at the Jakobskirche and teacher at the high school in Rothenburg, where he died.



He left behind a great number of compositions, including a Protestant songbook for Hohenlohe, settings of psalms and instrumental and vocal music for the court. His music is inventive and brilliant.