Martin Luther's relationship to music has been downplayed in both the scholarly and lay communities, yet music played a vital role in Luther's life -- and he in turn had a deep and lasting effect on Christian hymnody. The latest in the Lutheran Quarterly Books series,
Luther's Liturgical Music extensively explores these connections.
Beginning with a consideration of previous studies of Luther and music, Leaver notes their strengths and weaknesses and sheds light on a number of common misconceptions. She then continues with an extremely thorough study of the Reformer's experience of music throughout his life, from the popular to the sacred, and his theological understanding of music. In the following sections Leaver details music written by Luther, his reforms of liturgical music, and the impact of his theology of music on the liturgy and life of the Lutheran church over two centuries.
Luther's Liturgical Music is the most extensive study on Luther and music to be published to date. While it is a formidable contribution to Reformation studies, worship leaders, musicians, and others will find it an invaluable and very readable resource as well.