Choral Music versus Congregational Singing

Abstract

The style of music appropriate for church was a constant topic of debate. The 16th century saw Lutherans pitted against followers of the Swiss Reformation. Later in the century, an increase in polyphonic choral music competed with congregational singing for supremacy. Attempts were made to use both by alternating stanzas within hymns or having the people sing a hymn melody while the choir sang in parts (the cantional style). In the 17th century, the new Italian style was imported into Germany and caused considerable controversy, which continued into the eighteenth century (the cantata debate). By 1750 the liturgy was truly congregational in virtually all of Germany, and the choir was less of a liturgical ensemble than a performing one. Important voices in the debate included Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt, Wolfgang Amling, Michael Praetorius, Theophilus Grossgebauer, Hector Mithobius, Christian Gerber, Georg Motz, and various representatives of Pietism, Lutheran Orthodoxy, and Rationalism.