First published 1614

The Syntagma Musicum

by Michael Praetorius

Syntagma Musicum is a three-volume music treatise by Michael Praetorius, published in Wittenberg and Wolfenbüttel between 1614 and 1620. Its second volume, De Organographia, describes and illustrates the instruments of the day and became a key guide for the early music revival.

Editions tracked
3
First edition
Johann Richter, 1615
First UK edition
Clarendon Press (Oxford University Press), 1986

The first edition of The Syntagma Musicum by Michael Praetorius was published in Wittenberg by Johann Richter in 1615. We track 3 editions.

Editions

Which edition do you have?

First edition

  1. 1st Johann Richter1615 Other I own The Syntagma Musicum, Johann Richter 1615 Log in to want this

Later and other editions

  1. Da Capo Press1976 Hardback I own The Syntagma Musicum, Da Capo Press 1976 Log in to want this
  2. Clarendon Press1986 Hardback I own The Syntagma Musicum, Clarendon Press 1986 Log in to want this

We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.

About the book

Awards, adaptations and setting

In print

Editions recorded
22 on Open Library, 5 in English
Wikipedia
Articles in 13 languages

From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.

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Questions collectors ask

Frequently asked questions

Who published the first edition of The Syntagma Musicum?

The first edition of The Syntagma Musicum by Michael Praetorius was published in Wittenberg by Johann Richter in 1615.

How many editions of The Syntagma Musicum are there?

We track 3 editions of The Syntagma Musicum, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.

Sources

Where these facts come from

Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 28 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.

More pictures

Woodcut plate of lutes and other plucked instruments from Praetorius's Syntagma Musicum
Plate 16 from Syntagma Musicum, showing a group of plucked string instruments.Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Engraved title page of Praetorius's Theatrum Instrumentorum, the plates volume of Syntagma Musicum
Title page of the Theatrum Instrumentorum from Syntagma Musicum, Wolfenbüttel, 1620.Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain