Max Filke (1855-1911) studied music in Breslau as a cathedral choir singer and in Regensburg at the Regensburg Kirchenmusikschule (church music school). He was active as a cantor (church choir director) in Duderstadt from 1878/1879. After further studies at the Leipzig Conservatory he became the choir director at the St. Jacob church and city music director in Straubing, from 1881 to 1890. Afterwards he went to Cologne and in 1891 became the cathedral kapellmeister in Breslau and voice teacher at the seminary for priests. In 1893 he also became a teacher at the Breslau Institute for Church Music. In 1899 he was honored with the title of royal music director.



In his numerous compositions for church purposes (masses, requiem, litany etc.), which include many simple compositions for smaller choirs, the composer combines a productive talent with competent technique, so that these compositions have remained until today a valuable component of church music practice. Filke's significance lies in his efforts to produce instrumentally accompanied church music in keeping with the style of the times. In contrast, his secular choral songs owe too much to contemporary taste.