Michael Praetorius, another great Lutheran musician, wrote his monumental Syntagma Musicum between 1614 and 1620. The second volume (published in 1619) of this tremendous encyclopedia of music—the first of its kind—provides us with a fascinating perspective on the history of organbuilding up to that point, not to mention the extensive explanations of early music theory that accompany every chapter. Kantor Praetorius does not hesitate to mimic Martin Luther’s praise of music in this fascinating comparison he draws:
“About 100 years ago, however (at almost the same time that Mr. Luther through the providence of God expounded the Protestant Christian doctrine, the pure word of God), musical inventiveness began to distinguish itself mightily, through the extraordinary inspiration of God, and to perfect itself to God’s praise. Organ builders learned how to separate the various types of sound one from another, and how to create a variety of sounds, specifically by means of the spring and slider chest. Just as the Holy Scriptures remained so long hidden in an insignificant, infantile state during the years of papal rule, so also the art of music, both its instruments and its compositions, remained mired in a wretched state, near extinction, until (as just mentioned) exalted by the grace of God it came radiantly forth as if out of a dark cloud. In our time it has risen to such a height of perfection that it can scarcely be improved upon.”
Praetorius, Michael and Faulkner, Quentin trans. & ed., “Syntagma Musicum II: De Organographia, Parts III – V with Index” (2014). Zea E-Books Collection. 24. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook/24
Praetorius describes the Reformation as a renaissance in the art of music. This can be easily attested to: Luther’s promotion of congregational song created a more musically literate (though perhaps not literally literate) population. The art of music, which formerly belonged only to the learned men and scholars that could afford scholarly training, now resounded from the lips of all people in the sanctuaries, celebrating freely the feast of the Paschal Lamb:
All glory be to God on high / And thanks for all His favor;
No harm can touch or terrify / A child of God forever.
God shows His good and gracious will / And grants his peace, the world to fill—
All strife at last has ended.
Lutheran Service Book (CPH) #947
Thanks be to God for the gift of music! Thanks be to God that He gave (and continues to give) us church musicians whose vocation is to return highest praise and thanksgiving to the Maker of all things beautiful.
Joel Stoppenhagen 