Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) was a Dutch composer, organist, and teacher. His vocal works are in the outgoing late Renaissance tradition; his keyboard works synthesize various traditions into the first great formulation of the baroque keyboard style.

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was born in Deventer. He received some musical training from his father, Pieter Swybertszoon (Sweelinck adopted his mother's surname), who was the organist of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Amsterdam. Sweelinck's brilliance as a performer is attested by the likely possibility that he followed his father in the position at the age of 15. He is definitely known to have been employed at the church by 1580, and he remained in the post for the rest of his life.

Sweelinck played twice daily for the burghers, who were connoisseurs of organ performance. He probably did not leave Amsterdam for more than a few days at a time. His knowledge...