Re-forming Music: Martin Luther’s Impact on Church Music through the Lutheran Reformation

Abstract

Martin Luther is regarded as a seminal figure in 16th-century Europe, having a profound impact on the development of the Protestant Church as it separated from the Roman Catholic Church. Though Luther is most commonly known for his theological influences during the time, his upbringing and musical education strongly influenced his theological beliefs. Not only did this result in a development of a new Christian denomination, but Luther permanently changed the way music was written and performed in the church. How is it, though, that we can credit this musical change to Luther? Through an examination of Luther’s musical understanding and preferences as well as his theological beliefs regarding music, one is able to connect the role that Luther believed music should play in the church and the changes that followed in late 16th and early 17th-century European churches. By analyzing his theological impact along with the stylistic components of music that followed, Luther is found to have shifted the use of music in the church from a ritualistic practice towards being a meaningful method of worship.