Walter Buszin on the Lutheran Masters
In 1948 CPH published an “Anthology of Sacred Music – Chorale Preludes by Masters of the XVII and XVIII Centuries” selected and edited by Buszin. It is the Foreword of this volume that I’d like to share with you. First, it provides insight into what CPH was publishing at that time. Second, it gives some guidance for parish musicians today. Third, it will provide a segue into another piece I’ll be posting in a few days.
Gregorian Chant in Worship
When most people think of Gregorian chant they likely think of Roman Catholics or cloistered monks (with their cowl) chanting in a dimly lit church. This past Monday on Issues, Etc. Dr. Ben Mayes provided an interesting discussion on the history of Gregorian chant and its relevance to today’s Reformation Christians as part of our Lutheran heritage. I’ve embedded the audio for your listening ease.
Pre-Bach: Shaping the Tradition
It seems fitting that on the eve of the commemoration of J.S. Bach’s death that I have just finished reading “Music in Early Lutheranism: Shaping the Tradition (1524-1672)” by Carl Schalk. (As a side note: CPH is having a phenomenal sale on books. I picked up Schalk’s book for only $15.00 (normally $32.00) and both volumes of Sasse’s Lonely Way for only $10.00 each (normally $21.00)).
Schalk’s premise is that while Bach is often considered the culmination of Lutheran church music in the 18th century, there was a period of 150 years before Bach that paved the way for the climate that he encountered. In other words, Bach did not just arrive on the scene and say “I have arrived.”
Buszin on Church Musicians
I’m in the process of rereading the essays by Walter Buszin in the “Music for the Church” published by the Good Shepherd Institute. It’s a great book and the essays, though written about 40-50 years ago, are still fresh and speak to our times today.
Walter E. Buszin – Wise Counsel for Today
I was unfamiliar with the name Walter Buszin until the summer of 2007 when I discovered that one of the most enduring choral collections of the 20th century – 101 Chorales Harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach – was edited by Buszin. Prior to this, I had a dear friend from church who had told me on a number of occasions about a treasured book from her younger choral years – a book of Bach chorales. She evidently was talking of the Buszin edition.
"Favorite" Hymns
Why would a Lutheran want to sing “In the Garden” or “I Love to Tell the Story“?
Share your thoughts . . .