Johann Hermann Schein was born in the town of Grünhain in the Erz Mountains in 1586. He studied law and liberal arts in Leipzig before becoming musical director at Weissenfels and Leipzig. From 1616 until his early death in 1630 he was cantor at St Thomas's in Leipzig and took an active part in the city's musical life as „Director musici chori“.<br>
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This setting of the Lord's Prayer has solo „concerto“ sections with continuo accompaniment set against full-voiced ritornelli from a „ripienochorus“. ln this way the five-part vocal tutti can be doubled ad libitum by strings and winds, creating an effective climax for festive church occasions.<br>