Johann Crüger (1598-1662) began studying theology in Wittenberg in 1620. He also studied at schools in Guben, Sorau, and Breslau, the Jesuit College at Olmütz, and the Poets’ School at Regensburg. He traveled through Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, and Moravia and then settled at Berlin in 1615. Here he employed himself as a private tutor until 1622, except for a short residence at the University of Wittenberg in 1620. He received a thorough musical training under Paulus Homberger in Regensburg, a pupil of Giovanni Gabrieli.



In 1622 Crüger was appointed cantor and organist of the Nikolaikirche (St. Nikolai Church) in Berlin, a post which he retained till his death. He was also one of the masters of the Greyfriars Gymnasium.



Crüger wrote no hymns, but he was one of the most distinguished composers of his time. He was a friend of Paul Gerhardt, and wrote melodies for many hymns by Paul Gerhardt and others. He composed 71 chorales, of which 18 have received a wide usage in the Evangelical churches of the world. Crüger composed sacred works for choral and instrumental performances, and was also a musicologist and wrote about the theory and practice of music. His church-hymn collections include Neues vollkömmliches Gesangbuch, 1640; Praxis pietatis melica, 1644, which appeared in many editions; Geistliche Kirchenmelodeyen, 1649; Psalmodica sacra, 1658. His other works include: Synopsis musica, 1630; Musicae practicae praecepta (Rules for Practicing Music), 1660.