In 1521, the controversial monk Martin Luther was kidnapped by Elector Frederick III, nicknamed the Wise. At the Wartburg castle in Eisenach, the monk in hiding started his legendary Bible translation. However, Luther also wanted to have his people sing, and that in their own (German) language. That is why Luther published a large number of German-language songs from 1523 onwards. (By the way, many
… of these songs are still sung today - otherwise they have become immortal thanks to the chorale arrangements and cantatas by Eisenach's most famous descendant, Johann Sebastian Bach.) In Eisenach, Luther was introduced to . This singer and composer was part of the chapel of the Elector. Walter assisted Luther, among other things, in converting the Catholic mistake texts into a German-language liturgy. However, Walters most important work is the Geystliches Gesangk Buchleyn (1524-25). This collection contains the first polyphonic music from the history of the Reformation. With this publication, Walter was not so much aiming at domestic music making or at the church, but at the lust for singing of the students at the Latin schools. This CD contains a selection of the bundle. These are song arrangements, the lyrics of which often come from Luther himself. (HJ)more
