Reformation and Music

867 Words2 Pages

One of the most influential movements on the Western world, the European Reformation was primarily a movement that started in Germany. The Reformation was a time of great change and challenge of the Catholic Church by some of its members. The impact of the Reformation has certainly been long term as much of what took place has had a direct correlation to aspects of Western civilization today. For example, of the long term impacts that is not considered much is the impact that the Reformation had on music. Sacred music and music in general in the church was and still to this day is very important. Also secular music was significant to everyday living. As soon as the Reformation was up and running it initiated a substantial change in music and in the lives of European people. Because of theological issues, the European Reformation shaped how different denominations used music in churches and conversely secular music. While numerous theological issues had been brewing for some time, the Reformation was officially began in 1517 by a man named Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a professor of biblical theology who had several issues with the Catholic Church. His complaints or disputes with the Catholic Church are known as his 95 Theses. In his 95 Theses, Martin Luther argued that God offers salvation through faith alone and that religious authority comes from the Bible alone which posed a challenge to the authority of the Catholic Church. After sparking the Reformation, Martin Luther made it his goal to incorporate the church congregation in the praise and worship part of church service. A detrimental and vital aspect of Christianity, Martin Luther believed this needed to be done. Along with his followers, Martin Luther made continuous... ... middle of paper ... ...ble. For the first time in many centuries there was something new and different. Congregational hymns were sung in their native tongues. Additionally, differences in accompaniment was felt. The instrumentation was either more majestic or more limited depending on the area where the music was played. Music was being utilized as an edification implement like the sermon. Additionally, people optically discerned an influx in ingeniousness due to more mundane musical compositions being utilized in accommodations. The Reformation in Germany and the circumventing nations optically discerned an astronomical distinction on available hymns and psalms due to the openness and variations in their Reformation. The English reformation was pretty consistent across the country. However, due to its unique commencements music optically discerned different effects from the Reformation.

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