born April 1562, Amsterdam, Neth.
died Oct. 16, 1621, Amsterdam
Dutch composer.
As organist at Amsterdam's Old Church from с 1580, he became famous for his improvisations. Aside from occasional trips to other cities for organ consultation, he remained there his entire life, teaching Samuel Scheidt and other members of the North German school of organists (which would ultimately influence Johann Sebastian Bach ). Many of his vocal works were published in Psalms of David (1604–14) and Cantiones sacrae (1619); he also published many keyboard fantasias, toccatas, and variation sets.