The chorale

In Germany in the 16th cenury,some church leaders belived that people should take part in prayers,not just listen to the choir or these,

Martin Luther ,began writing tunes for everybody to sing.They had words that were writtenin everyday languages,not Latin.These tumes are called chorales,and they were usually accompanied by an organ.

Some chorale tunes are based on plainchant melodies,other on folk songs.The melodies were simpler than most masses of the time.This made them easier to sing and meant that everyone could join in.J.S.Bach was one of the most important composers of chorales.

Soon this type of church singing became popular all over in America.Today,tunes in this style are often called hymns.Some are based on earlier chorales,but there are many recent ones too.


16th century music



Imformation :Book name,Learn to Play more easy piano classics by caroline phipps

(ISBN 0-7460-1698-0)