Leonhard Paminger (1495-1567) was one of the most prolific composers of the 16th century with more than 700 works to his name. Between 1513 and 1516, he studied in Vienna, where he may have frequented the circles of Ludwig Senfl and Paul Hofhaimer. Subsequently he moved to Passau, where he was to spend the rest of his life.

Paminger received a personally signed book from Luther, dedicated two compositions to Philipp Melanchthon and sent his sons to study at Wittenberg University. It is no surprise that in Paminger‘s oeuvre religious music predominates. As well as pieces which are suitable for use in the liturgy, there are many settings of prayer and devotional texts, which could also be sung in private. Paminger’s compositions have been rediscovered during the last few years. Certainly he may never attain the fame of a Josquin or an Isaac, but his extensive oeuvre is evidence of an imaginative composer, who really deserves to be made available to a wider public.