(b Nuremberg, bap. June 9, 1588; d Frankfurt, Jan 24, 1666). German theorist and composer. His achievements are in many respects similar to those of Michael Praetorius. As Kapellmeister both introduced the new concerto style to various German cities; many of their compositions include careful instructions for performance in the concertato style. Herbst’s Musica practica, a guide to singing in the Italian manner, is a reorganization of material from the third volume of Praetorius’s Syntagma musicum, and Praetorius’s proposed, but never published, fourth volume of Syntagma musicum, which would have dealt with composition, was realized by Herbst’s Musica poetica. Herbst’s well-written theoretical studies indicate that he had a good education, probably at a Lateinschule in Nuremberg. It is not known who taught him music, but the foremost composer in the area in his early years was Hassler, who was in and out of Nuremberg until 1608, and whether or not Herbst actually studied with him he was no doubt influenced by familiarity with his music. Recommended as an experienced composer and performer, particularly on the violin, Herbst left Nuremberg in ...