Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630)was the son of a Lutheran minister and was born in Grünhain, Saxony (modern-day Germany). He received his first musical training as a choirboy in the Dresden court. In 1616 he was appointed Thomaskantor in Leipzig, a position which he held until he lay on his deathbed, when his friend Heinrich Schütz composed for him the six-part motet "Das ist je gewißlich wahr."



His importance as a composer lies in the use he made of Italian monody and concerted style in Lutheran church music. He was also prolific in the composition of madrigals and instrumental music.