The Muses of Zion

Martin Luther's reforms changed the liturgy from a purely sacramental act into an occasion for proclamation, and in his view the divine gift of music had a special role to play in proclaiming the Word. Music in church was not ornament or diversion, but an essential part of worship; sacred music not only interpreted scripture in a manner of a sermon, but possessed the additional virtue that through music the meaning of the words was enhanced and the spirit of the listener moved to direct emotional acceptance of the Gospel: "Music is to be praised as second only to the Word of God because by her are all the emotions swayed," wrote Luther. The Reformation thus set the stage for a glorious era of liturgical music in Lutheran Germany which lasted until the death of Johann Sebastian Bach. This recording offers a small sample of this rich repertoire. - Scott Metcalfe