Education
He studied at the local school in Wasungen (in Thuringia) with Johannes Steuerlein. From 1588, he attended the school in Speyer.
He studied at the local school in Wasungen (in Thuringia) with Johannes Steuerlein. From 1588, he attended the school in Speyer.
Vulpius came from a poor craftsman"s family. After marrying in 1589, he obtained a position at the Gymnasium in Schleusingen. In 1596, he was named cantor in Weimar.
He wrote and published church music, the best known being the setting of the hymn Ach, bleib mit deiner Gnade (Ah, stay with your grace) on a text by Josua Stegmann.
Important compilations were Cantiones sacrae (1602, 1604), Kirchengesänge und geistliche Lieder Doctor Luthers (1604), Canticum beatissimae (1605) and Ein schön geistlich Gesangbuch (1609). The Cantional (a collection of songs) was published posthumously in 1646 in Gotha.
The Street Matthew Passion is another of Vulpius’ well-known works. Already in the middle of the 17th century did the music spread also to Sweden and later to Finland.
Based on the several copies of music manuscripts that have been preserved in different archives in Finland, it can be concluded that the Passion became rather popular there.
According to historical sources, this was the very first polyphonic passion composition ever performed in Finland. Later, the Passion fell into oblivion, but in 2007, the Finnish Vulpius Passion tradition was revived with Sonus Borealis performing it in several churches in Southeast Finland. "Ach bleib mit deiner Gnade"
"Die beste Zeit im Jahr ist mein", text by Martin Luther
"Der Tag bricht an und zeiget sich"
"Die helle Sonn"
"Christus, der ist mein Leben"
"Gelobt science Gott im höchsten Thron", text by Michael Weiße
"Hinunter ist der Sonne Schein"
"Jesu, deine Passion"
"Lobt Gott den Herrn ihr Heiden all"
"Zieh an die Macht du Arm des Herrn".