Early Modern Period#
Heinrich Isaac: Innsbrucklied (instrumental)#
Engraving of Innsbruck at the times of Heinrich Isaacs.
Emperor Maximilians I's court composer, Heinrich Isaac (1450 Flanders - 1517 Florence), was not only famous and appreciated throughout Europe but was also one of the main represntatives of the new kind of German song, the Gesellschaftslied. That explains why his song Innsbruck ich muss dich lassen Innsbruck, I must leave thee) became so popular in such a short time that new texts were set to the melody making it both a religious song (O Welt ich muss dich lassen O world, I must leave thee) as well as folksong (Nun ruhen alle Waelder Now all the woods are quiet). Even Isaac himself created a Discant song version that employs the melody as the cantus firmus of a Tenorlied.
The musical example presents a section of the original version.
Sound Clip#
© Klangführer durch die Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, CD-Nr. 516 537-2
