Johann Bahr

Johann Beer by
Peter Schenk the Elder

Johann Beer (also spelled Bähr, Baer, or Behr, Latinized as Ursus or Ursinus, (Sankt Georgen, 28 February 1655 – 6 August 1700, Weissenfels) was an Austrian author, court official and composer.

Beer was born in Austria to Protestant parents. In 1676 he entered the service of Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels as a countertenor. In 1700 he died, aged 45, as the result of a hunting accident.

His comic writings are reminiscent of Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen.

His work of music theory Musikalische Discurse reveals German baroque performance practice.

Comic novels

• Der Simplicianische Welt-Kucker. The Simplician World-Observer 4 Vols. Halle and Saale 1677–79
• Der Abenteuerliche Ritter Hopffen-Sach. The adventurous Knight Hop-Sack. Halle 1678
• Der Politische Feuermäuer-Kehrer. Leipzig 1682
• Teutsche Winternächte. Nuremberg 1682, English translation German winter nights 1988.

Music theory

• Musikalische Discurse durch die Philosophie deducirt

Music

• Missa S. Marcellini for 8 soloists and double choir.