Tabulatura nova

work by Scheidt

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July 14, 2026

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Tabulatura nova is a significant collection of organ music published in three parts in 1624 by Samuel Scheidt. The title refers to the musical notation used, which was staff notation rather than the older German alphabetical tablature.1

This work is important in the history of organ music and includes various forms such as fantasias, toccatas, and variations on chorale melodies. Scheidt's approach to developing variations on chorale tunes, along with his use of different instrumental and vocal combinations, anticipated later developments in Lutheran cantatas. While influenced by his teacher Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Scheidt's compositions demonstrate his own mastery of counterpoint.1

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Samuel Scheidt
The publication of his Tabulatura nova (three parts, 1624) was an important event in the history of organ music. The title refers to the musical notation used: keyboard tablature in the Italian sense (i.e., staff notation, rather than the alphabetical tablature used in earlier German organ music). The collection…
Read More
The publication of his Tabulatura nova (three parts, 1624) was an important event in the history of organ music. The title refers to the musical notation used: keyboard tablature in the Italian sense (i.e., staff notation, rather than the alphabetical tablature used in earlier German organ music). The collection…
Read More