Claudio Merulo

Although he composed and published books of both sacred and secular vocal music, and music for other instruments, Claudio Merulo's (1533-1604) place in music history is secured by his keyboard music. He established his reputation as organist at Venice's St. Mark's, also composing for the Doge, and then working for both the cathedral and the Duke of Parma. Merulo's innovations in regard to physical keyboard playing and to the use of counterpoint, ornamentation, and chromaticism in his works gave the impression of virtuosic improvisation and were key in the development of the ricercare and toccata forms and in Baroque keyboard technique in general.