Conrad
Paumann (Pawmann)

born before 1415 (October 23, 1409 incorrect) Nuremberg buried on the south side of the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady) in Munich; the epitaph is now located in the Frauenkirche under the organ loft. Probably son of Cunz († 1444), spur maker. ∞ Nuremberg 1446 Margaretha Weichser, at least one son Paul.

The education of Conrad, who was born blind, was supported by the patrician Ulrich Grundherr and his son Paul. From at least 1446 to 1450, he was organist at St. Sebald's Church, and from 1447, city organist with a salary of 12 florins. Besides the organ, he played the lute, violin, flute, and trumpet.

In November 1449, Duke Albrecht III requested the Nuremberg council to permanently transfer the master organist to his position; this request was granted by decree of November 26, 1449. After lengthy negotiations, in July 1451, through the mediation of Duchess Anna of Bavaria, Paumann was released from his Nuremberg citizenship and his other obligations in the Free Imperial City. He worked at the court of Duke Albrecht III in Munich and received an annual salary of 80 florins; he remained there under Albrecht's successors until his death. Albrecht III gifted him a house in the Vorderen Schwabinger Gasse (today's Residenzstraße). He accompanied his patrons on numerous journeys. On an artistic tour to Mantua in 1470, his playing caused such a sensation that he was knighted and honored with precious gifts. On July 25, 1471, he played at the Scottish Monastery during the Imperial Diet in Regensburg in the presence of Emperor Frederick III.

He was arguably the most important German musician of his time. The invention of German lute tablature, which remained in use in part until around 1620, is attributed to him.

The main sources are the Lochamer Songbook and the so-called Buxheim Organ Book (c. 1470).

Paumann Street in Nuremberg was named after him. Works: For a list, see MGG 10, 968 and Dupont, 1971.

Museum: Nuremberg City Library.

Literature: ADB; NDB; Eitner, 1900; Krautwurst, 1971; Franz Krautwurst: Konrad Paumann, in: Fränkische Lebensbilder 7, 1977; Riemann, 1978; Stahl, Rv., p. 332; Herbert Maas, in: MVGN 81, 1994; City Lexicon 2000. Exhibitions: 1959/8; 1996/4.

(quoted from the Nuremberg Artists' Lexicon, edited by Manfred H. Grieb)

See also: Traxdorf Organ