Andreas Rauch was an Austrian organist who served Protestant churches in Hernals, Inzersdorf and Odenburg. He served in the latter city from 1629 until his death as the organist. The hymns which Rauch composed were characterized by the use of multiple choirs in the Venetian style and was adaptable enough to call upon both old and new techniques as he needed them. Rauch is a typical example of a minor master of Protestant music. "Thymiaterium" was a collection of motets published in 1625 and his later sacred works were scored for four voices or less with his three-part songs reminiscent of Italian ballettos. ~ Keith Johnson