KERLL, JOHANN KASPAR. – Organist and composer, b. at Adorf on 9 Apr. 1627, d. at Munich on 13 Feb. 1693. He first studied at Vienna, then in Rome with Carissimi and Frescobaldi. In 1656–57 he was director of the choir of the Munich chapel, and from 1677 to 1684 organist at St Stephen’s, Vienna. He then returned to Munich.
Besides some theatrical works of purely Italian inspiration, he wrote Modulatio organica super Magnificat octo tonis (Vienna 1686), preludes, interludes, sacred songs, concertos, two volumes of masses for 2 and 6 voices, and numerous organ sonatas. Much of K.’s music is printed in modern collections edited by G. Adler.
Bibl.: A. W. Ambros, Geschichte der Musik, IV, Leipzig 1860, p. 463; G. B. Katschthaler, Storia della musica sacra, trad. it., 3rd ed., Turin 1926, p. 148.