Luther and the Reformation

One of the most significant events of the Renaissance was the religious movement of the Sixteenth Century. This milestone, known as the Protestant Reformation, was the most serious upheaval in the Christian Church since the introduction of Christianity into Europe. Primarily, this revolution was neither political, philosophical, nor literary. It was a revolt that was centrally religious and idealistically moral in its motivation. It did, however, achieve revolution in politics, philosophy, literature, art, and music …

…new Church, a new liturgical service, and many new musical practices. Luther modified the Mass and changed it from a liturgy sung by the choir and priests exclusively to a vehicle of congregational worship that included all believers. Martin Luther viewed music as having powers to repulse evil and to glorify God at the same time. All of his musical reforms were derived from the old, but with a new concept of purpose and understanding.