Norbert J. Schneider (born in 1950) teaches composition at the Musikhochschule in Munich. He specialised in church music during his training and now writes predominantly for the organ. His organ toccata for the film 'Schlafes Bruder' has gained him a wider public. 'De profundis' was composed in 1980 for an Amnesty International church service. The chorale melody 'Aus tiefer Not' (Out of the deep) is hidden in the upper parts of the introductory chords and in the top notes of the 'Blues'.