Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) was a German composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque period. Born in Erfurt, Germany, Schütz studied music under the tutelage of his uncle, a Catholic priest. He later joined the Catholic Church, despite being born into a Lutheran family, and served as a chapelmaster and organist at several churches in Dresden and Weimar.

As a composer, Schütz is known for his innovative and expressive works, which blended the styles of Protestant Germany and Italy. He was heavily influenced by the works of Giovanni Gabrieli and Claudio Monteverdi, and his compositions often featured complex and intricate harmonies. Schütz's music was characterized by its use of contrapuntal textures, intricate polyphony, and a focus on the emotional expression of the text.

One of Schütz's most famous works is Sinfoniae Sacrae, a collection of 18 symphonias and motets that showcase his mastery of the contrapuntal style. This work, composed in the early 1630s, is considered a landmark of Protestant church music and a testament to Schütz's skill as a composer. Schütz's other notable works include Cantiones Sacrae, which features 12 motets and arias, and Historia der Auferstehung Jesu Christi, a collection of music for the Easter season.