This stunning follow-up to the best-selling Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, Chants, Truth showcases Lutheran music of the generations immediately following Luther’s time. Using choir, soloists, modern instruments, and historical instruments, this varied collection includes well-loved hymns, some Lutheran gems, and modern settings of old favorites. With contributors including Gerhardt, Hammerschmidt, Praetorius, Bach, Schuetz, Hildebrand, Gerike, Sedio, Busarow, and Schalk, among many others, these powerful texts and moving musical settings are sure to provide something meaningful for every heir of the Reformation. 4 CDs. 45 tracks. Total Time: 3 hrs, 47 mins.

Product Review
“Heirs of the Reformation is nothing if not ambitious. Over forty chorales (dating from the time of Luther to German high Orthodoxy) are set by an encyclopedic list of cantors spanning the centuries, from Praetorius and Scheidt to Robert Buckley Farlee and Kevin Hildebrand. The dedicated vocal performances are backed by a kaleidoscopic variety of instrumentation, ranging from organ, brass and woodwinds to the period ensemble Musik Ekklesia. Kudos go to recording consultants Henry Gerike, Peter Reske, and Philip Spray; they and all the performers involved have produced not only a fine reference work, but a richly devotional listening experience.”
—GraceNotes (June/July 2009)

High praises for Heirs of the Reformation. Read a review by Karl Osterland from Cross Accent: Journal of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

What Others Are Saying

Product Review
“Heirs of the Reformation is nothing if not ambitious. Over forty chorales (dating from the time of Luther to German high Orthodoxy) are set by an encyclopedic list of cantors spanning the centuries, from Praetorius and Scheidt to Robert Buckley Farlee and Kevin Hildebrand. The dedicated vocal performances are backed by a kaleidoscopic variety of instrumentation, ranging from organ, brass and woodwinds to the period ensemble Musik Ekklesia. Kudos go to recording consultants Henry Gerike, Peter Reske, and Philip Spray; they and all the performers involved have produced not only a fine reference work, but a richly devotional listening experience.”
—GraceNotes (June/July 2009)

High praises for Heirs of the Reformation. Read a review by Karl Osterland from Cross Accent: Journal of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

 

Book Bit for WTBF-AM/FM Radio in Troy, Ala, to air 12/19/2009

“Heirs of the Reformation: Treasures of the Singing Church” (4 CD set) (Concordia Publishing House)

A few years ago, I shared with you “Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, Chants and Truth” a four-CD set with pamphlet from CPH. It featured the music authored by or attributed to the great Reformation theologian. Now this new boxed set follows-up with more of the wonderful contributions of Lutheran composers and authors from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Luther taught that the chief function of music in worship was the proclamation of the Word of God, making these musicians into teachers as well. This is part of our heritage as Christians, not matter what our denomination. They are the treasures of the Church, singing faith into our lives and hearts.  “The music of salvation is God’s music, for His harmonies of peace replace the discord of our sin. That peace was conceived in God’s heart, not ours, and was premiered on the cross of crucifixion and at the tomb of resurrection.”

This varied collection of 4 CDs with accompanying booklet features 45 Lutheran treasures of the 17th century and contributions by more modern composers from Bach to the current day. For example:

Out of the gloom and sadness of his life, Pastor Paul Gerhardt wrote such hymns as “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness”, “If God Himself Be for Me”, “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”, “Now Rest beneath Night’s Shadow”, the Christmas carol “All My Heart This Night Rejoices”,  “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me”,” Evening and Morning”, “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me”,“A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth”, and “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”.  You can hear Christmas hymns from theologian Valentin Thilo , composers Christian Keimann, Andreas Hammerschmidt, and Michael Praetorius. And there are other hymns for Easter and other seasons of the Christian year.

Beautifully performed and faithfully sung, these 45 selections ( almost four hours worth)  represent over two centuries of Lutheran musical theology, and the 64 page booklet gives important information and lyrics. You don’t have to be a Lutheran to appreciate the contribution of these magnificent hymns of the Christian faith. Martin Luther was responsible for reintroducing congregational singing, replacing the professional choirs of the 16th century Catholic Church with joyful amateurs.

I'm Doc Kirby and that's a Book Bit.

Music Samples
  CD1

1.   Awake, My Heart, with Gladness

2.   A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

3.   O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild

4.   Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus

5.   Born Is a Child / We Praise You, Jesus

6.   Oh, Be Joyful in the Lord

7.   If God Himself Be for Me

8.   Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness

9.   In You, Lord, I Have Put My Trust

10.   Sing Your Psalms (Psallite)

11.   When in the Hour of Deepest Need

12.   Lord, Let at Last Thine Angels Come

  CD2

1.   O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

2.   Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light

3.   Now Thank We All Our God

4.   Woman, Why Weepest Thou

5.   O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright

6.   Alleluia! O Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly

7.   What God Ordains Is Always Good

8.   The Quempas Carol

9.   Glory to God in the Highest

10.   From God Can Nothing Move Me

11.   Now Rest beneath Night’s Shadow

  CD3

1.   In Thee Is Gladness

2.   Who Trusts in God a Strong Abode

3.   All My Heart This Night Rejoices

4.   Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying

5.   Salvation Now to Us Has Come

6.   Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

7.   O Holy Jesus

8.   O Beloved Shepherds

9.   Evening and Morning

10.   If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

11.   Jesu, My Heart’s Treasure

  CD4

1.   Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me

2.   O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

3.   Today Is Risen Christ the Lord

4.   Christians, to the Paschal Victim

5.   Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good

6.   And Mary Said to the Angel

7.   Now Sing We, Now Rejoice

8.   My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker

9.   Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart

10.   Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me

11.   Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide

Helpful Downloads
 

Authors and Composers

Bulletin Insert

Newsletter Article

review

Instrumentation:

CD

Contents:

CD1; 1. Awake, My Heart, with Gladness; 2. A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth; 3. O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild; 4. Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus; 5. Born Is a Child / We Praise You, Jesus; 6. Oh, Be Joyful in the Lord; 7. If God Himself Be for Me; 8. Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness; 9. In You, Lord, I Have Put My Trust; 10. Sing Your Psalms (Psallite); 11. When in the Hour of Deepest Need; 12. Lord, Let at Last Thine Angels Come; CD2; 1. O Lord, How Shall I Meet You; 2. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light; 3. Now Thank We All Our God; 4. Woman, Why Weepest Thou; 5. O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright; 6. Alleluia! O Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly; 7. What God Ordains Is Always Good; 8. The Quempas Carol; 9. Glory to God in the Highest; 10. From God Can Nothing Move Me; 11. Now Rest beneath Night's Shadow; CD3; 1. In Thee Is Gladness; 2. Who Trusts in God a Strong Abode; 3. All My Heart This Night Rejoices; 4. Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying; 5. Salvation Now to Us Has Come; 6. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; 7. O Holy Jesus; 8. O Beloved Shepherds; 9. Evening and Morning; 10. If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee; 11. Jesu, My Heart's Treasure; CD4; 1. Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me; 2. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded; 3. Today Is Risen Christ the Lord; 4. Christians, to the Paschal Victim; 5. Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good; 6. And Mary Said to the Angel; 7. Now Sing We, Now Rejoice; 8. My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker; 9. Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart; 10. Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me; 11. Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide

Music Samples
  CD1
   1.   Awake, My Heart, with Gladness
   2.   A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth
   3.   O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild
   4.   Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
   5.   Born Is a Child / We Praise You, Jesus
   6.   Oh, Be Joyful in the Lord
   7.   If God Himself Be for Me
   8.   Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness
   9.   In You, Lord, I Have Put My Trust
   10.   Sing Your Psalms (Psallite)
   11.   When in the Hour of Deepest Need
   12.   Lord, Let at Last Thine Angels Come

  CD2
   1.   O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
   2.   Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
   3.   Now Thank We All Our God
   4.   Woman, Why Weepest Thou
   5.   O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
   6.   Alleluia! O Rejoice, Ye Christians, Loudly
   7.   What God Ordains Is Always Good
   8.   The Quempas Carol
   9.   Glory to God in the Highest
   10.   From God Can Nothing Move Me
   11.   Now Rest beneath Night’s Shadow

  CD3
   1.   In Thee Is Gladness
   2.   Who Trusts in God a Strong Abode
   3.   All My Heart This Night Rejoices
   4.   Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
   5.   Salvation Now to Us Has Come
   6.   Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
   7.   O Holy Jesus
   8.   O Beloved Shepherds
   9.   Evening and Morning
   10.   If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee
   11.   Jesu, My Heart’s Treasure

  CD4
   1.   Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me
   2.   O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
   3.   Today Is Risen Christ the Lord
   4.   Christians, to the Paschal Victim
   5.   Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good
   6.   And Mary Said to the Angel
   7.   Now Sing We, Now Rejoice
   8.   My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker
   9.   Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
   10.   Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me
   11.   Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide

Helpful Downloads
 
   Authors and Composers
   Bulletin Insert
   Newsletter Article
   review