Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott, BMV 80
Nun singet und seid froh, BMV 368
Vater unser im Himmelreich, BMV 737
Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein, BMV 153
Nun freut euch, liebe Christen g'mein BMV 388
Komm, Gott Schopfer, Heiliger Geist, BMV 370
Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BMV 38,6
Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BMV 226,3
Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BMV 126
Nun bitten wir den Heilingen Geist, BMV 169,7
Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebote, BMV 636
Verlein uns Frieden gnadiglich, BMV 126,6

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. (Friedrich Hänssler / Translation: J & M Berridge)