The year 1641 in music involved some significant events.

• Heinrich Bach becomes organist of St Mary's Church, Arnstadt.
• Franz Tunder succeeds Peter Hasse as organist of the Marienkirche in Lübeck.

• Benedetto Ferrari – Musiche varier a voce sola, volume 3, published in Venice
• Claudio Monteverdi – Selva morale e spirituale (Venice: Bartolomeo Magni)
• Cornelis Padbrué
  • Kusjes... (Amsterdam, Broer Jansz)
  • Synphonia in nuptias... (Amsterdam, Broer Jansz), written to celebrate the marriage of Everswyn and Lucia Buys

• Johann Schop – Werde munter, mein Gemüte

• Francesco Cavalli – Didone
• Claudio Monteverdi – Le nozze d'Enea con Lavinia, premiered in Venice

• October 14 – Joachim Tielke, German maker of musical instruments (died 1719)

• November 28 – Robert Dowland, English lutenist and composer (born c.1591)
• date unknown – Estêvão de Brito, Portuguese composer of polyphony (born c. 1570)
• probable – Francesco Usper, Italian composer and organist (born c. 1570)