German organist and composer, not related to Michael Praetorius . Kantor in Erfurt from 1580 to 1582. In 1582 he succeeded his father Jakob (also his teacher) as organist at the Jakobskirche in Hamburg. Two of hiss sons, Jacob (2) and Johannes, were also musicians. His Opus Musicum (collected church music; 1616-22) includes over 100 motets in up to twenty parts, many of which make skilful use of the Venetian polychoral style. With Hans Leo Hassler, Hieronymus Praetorius is one of the best representatives of the Venetian tradition in Germany. His music is however old-fashioned for its time in that the basso continuo is still optional, and no use is made of the new monodic style or of obbligato instruments. He also published a collection of Latin and German sacred songs as used in his Hamburg church.
Sacred works: 6 masses, Cantiones Sacrae chorales (1587), Cantiones Sacrae de festis (1599, from 5 à 20 voices), Canticum beatae Mariae Virginis seu Magnificat (1602), several pieces in Melodeyen Gesangbuch (1604), Cantiones variae (1618), Cantiones novae officiosae (1618). Instrumental works: Magnificats and works for organ.