Nicolaus a Kempis

Nicolaus à Kempis, Nicolaus a Kempis or Nicolaes a Kempis (c. 1600 – buried in Brussels on 11 August 1676) was a Flemish composer and organist active in Brussels in the middle of the 17th century. He is known for introducing the latest innovations from Italy into Flemish polyphonic music.

Life Not much is known about a Kempis. He was born around 1600, but it is unknown where. Because of his knowledge of contemporary Italian music, some musicologists have opined that he came from northern Italy, perhaps from Florence but there is no evidence for this. Current research is considering the possibility that Kempis was never in Italy and that he only came into contact with the then new Italian violin music through the migration of other musicians caused by the wars of religion.

The earliest extant piece of biographical information about him is his nomination as organist of the cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudule in Brussels around 1626. He had various sons of whom Joannes Florentius succeeded him in his role as organist in 1670.

He died in 1676 and was buried in Brussels on 11 August 1676.

Nicolaus à Kempis was the first musician to introduce the Italian viol style and techniques of Girolamo Frescobaldi, Marco Uccellini, Giovanni Battista Fontana and Dario Castello into the Habsburg Netherlands.

Published works Symphoniæ unius, duorum, trium violinorum. Authore Nicolao à Kempis, … Antwerpiæ, Apud Heredes Petri Phalesij ad insigne Davidis Regis, 1644. Symphoniæ unius, duorum, trium, IV. et V. instrumentorum adjunctæ quatuor 3. instrumentorum & duarum vocum. Auctore Nicolao à Kempis, … Operis secundi liber primus. … Antwerpiæ, Apud Magdalenam Phalesia ad insigne Davidis Regis, 1647. Symphoniæ unius, duorum, trium, IV. et V. instrumentorum adjunctæ quatuor 3. instrumentorum & duarum vocum. Auctore Nicolao à Kempis, … Opus tertium et ultimum. … Antwerpiæ, Apud Magdalenam Phalesia ad insigne Davidis Regis, 1649. Symphoniæ unius, duorum, trium, IV. V. et VI. instrumentorum. Auctore Nicolao à Kempis, … Opus quartum. … Antwerpiæ, Apud Magdalenam Phalesia ad insigne Davidis Regis, 1649. Missae e motetta (lost).