By the age of 11 Grabbe was patronized by Count Simon VI who made him a member of the choir at Schloss Brake. Grabbe learned the organ from Conradus, succeeded him, and was afforded both the opportunity and the expense to study with Gabrieli in Venice. Grabbe retuned to Schloss Brake but shortly thereafter Conradus died. Appointed as the vice-Kappelmeister to Count Ernst III he was able to learn about the instrumental music of England as Brade and Simpson were employed at Buckeburg. The madrigals which Grabbe composed show currency with Italian styles and flowing shapes in the structures of his melodic lines. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi