The Mysterious Philipp Schoendorff

We don’t really know much about composer Philipp Schoendorff: he was a chorister in the chapel of the Holy Roman Emperor; and when his voice broke, he learned composition and to play the trumpet. We think he stayed in Prague for his entire career since he served three different emperors and evidence of his presence there continues until 1617. We’re pretty sure that he was a student of Philippe de Monte since they were both employed at the same court. The vocal ensemble Cinquecento has recorded a CD on Hyperion that includes music by both de Monte and Schoendorff. The relationship between these composers is further suggested by the ensemble’s inclusion of de Monte’s motet “Usquequo Domine Oblivisceris Me?” and madrigal “La Dolce Vista Della Donna Mia,” and Schoendorff’s two mass settings based on these pieces.