Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)/Martin Luther (1483-1546)
"Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott", BWV 80
"Nun singet und seid froh", BWV 368
"Vater unser im Himmelreich", BWV 737
"Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein", BWV 153
"Nun freut euch, liebe Christen g’mein", BWV 388
"Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist", BWV 370
"Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir", BWV 38,6
"Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott", BWV 226,3
"Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem", Wort BWV 126
"Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist", BWV 169,7
"Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebote", BWV 636
"Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich", BWV 126,6
"Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her", BWV 769a
"Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland", BWV 62
"Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist", BWV 370
"Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam", BWV 7
"Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ", BWV 91
"Es wolle Gott uns gnädig sein", BWV 311
"Christ lag in Todesbanden", BWV 4
"Mit Fried und Freud fahr ich dahin", BWV 125,6
"Es danke Gott und lobe dich", BWV 76
"Das hat er alles uns getan", BWV 91
"Wir glauben all an einen Gott", BWV 437

Peter Schreier, ténor
Martin Luecker, orgue
Gerhard Gnann, orgue
Wolfgang Zerer, orgue
Indiana University Chamber Singers
Frakfurter Kantorei
Gächinger-Kantorei
Bach Collegium stuttgart
Bach-Ensemble
Helmuth Rilling, direction

Martin Luther, the great church reformer, fighter for the one true doctrine, witness to faith, researcher of writings, Bible translator, champion of freedom of conscience, brilliant creator and pioneer of modern written German, reformed the structures of the church. Preaching the gospel was bound to have visible consequences for the form of divine service. Preaching and Luther’s own writings are complemented by the sacred song, through which evangelical faith is spread. The new song of the Reformation springs from the faith of a confessing church. In arranging, translating and expanding a whole series of older church melodies, and in particular through his own figures of speech, Luther was the true founder of German Protestant congregational singing. His own hymns reflect his strong personality founded on faith, exercising a powerful effect on his and following generations. He was the “Wittenberg Nightingale”. The re-forming of the old order of service had shown the need for Latin chants to be replaced by verses sung in German. Luther’s first congregational hymn “Nun freut euch, liebe Christen gmein” (now rejoice, dear Christians all) was written in 1529. The year 1524 saw the appearance of the Geistliches Gesangsbüchlein, the first Lutheran hymn book. In the preface, Luther relates that he and certain friends, particularly Paul Speratus, and Johannes Walther for the melodies, have compiled a collection of songs to spread the gospel, especially among young people. This “little book of sacred songs” introduces the great hymns of the Reformation, soon to find a place in popular culture and to be sung wherever the gospel is preached: Music had great significance for Luther. In his “Foreword to all good Hymn Books” of 1538 he writes: “Music creates joys pleasing to God, destroys the Devil’s work and prepares the heart for the divine Word.” Johann Sebastian Bach was surely unique in his ability to take the Bible texts so eloquently translated by Luther and bring them to resonant life in his oratorios, cantatas and motets. Indeed, it may be said, as one of Bach’s biographers expressed it, that without Martin Luther we should not have the works of Johann Sebastian Bach in such great number and variety.