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.”
Schalk reviews the life and musical works of seven influential Lutheran musicians in the 150 years after the Reformation.
- Johann Walter: First Cantor of the Lutheran Church
- Georg Rhau: Printer of Early Reformation Music
- Hans Leo Hassler: Herald of the Transition to the “New Style”
- Michael Praetorius: Conservator of the Chorale
- Johann Hermann Schein” Cantor of St. Thomas, Leipzig
- Samuel Scheidt: Musician of Halle
- Heinrich Schuetz: Tone Poet of Saxony
While I knew a little bit about Walter, Rhau, and Schuetz, it was enlightening to understand their background and the roots of Lutheran music and see the kinds of music they composed. For example, during the Thirty Years War Schuetz’s compositions became simpler — just a couple vocal parts, several instruments, and basso continuo to account for more limited musical resources and financial support.