Abstract
In this article, the authors firstly provide a brief historical narrative of the origin of the Moravian Church and its hymnody. Secondly, they proceed to trace the origins of Moravian hymnals and their use in South Africa. Thirdly, they discuss the history of Moravian hymnals in South Africa and the contribution of South African composers and musicians. Several articles and books were consulted to trace the contribution of the Moravian hymnal from its origins in Herrnhut in Germany to Genadendal, the first Moravian mission station in South Africa and the spread of the Moravian denomination to the rest of the country. The authors also provide short biographies of selected South African Moravian composers and highlight the connectedness of Moravians across time through their hymnody. Moreover, in this article the authors use the term, ‘musicking’ to describe the musical activity from composing to performing to listening-in-audience to singing.
Highlights
The Moravian Church is a traditional, Protestant church which promotes and maintains the legacy and practices of its founding fathers
It is a Moravian tradition not to compose new hymns tunes, and to use the original text; the practise of the numbering of hymn tunes described previously. Both composers were active in establishing the Moravian hymnal of South Africa, and as practising Moravians would have been familiar with the tunes and traditions of this close-knit community of Partnership hymn What brought us together J
The two Moravian hymns, under discussion, What brought us together? and Christian hearts in love united speak about Christian living in community here on the earth and in heaven
Summary
The Moravian Church is a traditional, Protestant church which promotes and maintains the legacy and practices of its founding fathers. The Moravian hymnals in use in South Africa today, including the Laudate, are part of the heritage of modern day South African musicians and composers in so far as they have contributed to the compilation and composition of tunes for congregational worship. It is a Moravian tradition not to compose new hymns tunes, and to use the original text; the practise of the numbering of hymn tunes described previously Both composers were active in establishing the Moravian hymnal of South Africa, and as practising Moravians would have been familiar with the tunes and traditions of this close-knit community of Lively. To be noted is the fact that Lawack belongs to a generation different from Ulster; Lawack is part of the new generation of Moravian composers, who having been initiated into and experienced Moravian tradition throughout their lives since childhood, are creating an oeuvre of hymn tunes that can be viewed as independent from the early Moravian tradition, while simultaneously paying homage to their rich tradition of hymnody
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