In the year 2024, it will be 500 years since Martin Luther wrote his collection of songs. Songs from 1524/25, that still are sung today, but about which a lot has been discussed throughout the centuries.
In 1724/25 Johann Sebastian Bach composed his cycle of choral cantatas. And that was not by chance exactly 200 years after Luther’s songs in 1524/25, as recent scientific research has shown.
All the more reason, therefore, to put these two exceptional collections of religious and cultural heritage, aged 500 and 300 years, in the spotlight once again in 2024/25. We are currently preparing the plans for L500B300. Are you curious, or would you like to participate? Please contact us.
Initiators:
Ellen van der Sar,
Lydia Vroegindeweij
[We are working to make all information available in English as well. This is an ongoing process, for which we ask for your patience. ]
Luther's songs 1524
Martin Luther, at the time of the Reformation, wanted to help people find comfort in their faith. Not everyone could read the Bible, but his songs from 1524/25 were the medium to memorise and pass on the doctrine.
On the Kerkliedwiki you will find an overview of Luther’s songs and their translations in Dutch.
Bach's choral cantatas 1724
Johann Sebastian Bach had just worked a year in Leipzig. His second volume of cantatas, written in 1724/25, was all about church songs. In a modern musical form, the old songs were explained anew.
On the Kerkliedwiki you will find an overview of Bach’s church cantatas and the church songs they contain.
Inspiring history
The old hymns from Luther’s time were not always well understood 200 years later. Exciting discussions between the first hymnologists from the early 18th century show how the church song was treated in Bach’s time. Moreover, they shed new light on the texts and music of Bach’s cycle of choral cantatas.
Cantata calendar for 2024-2025
It is our mission to get all Bach choirs and orchestras on the right track to celebrate the double jubilee in 2024-2025. To start with, we have created a calendar with the correct dates in the church year. You can download the poster and print it yourself, preferably in A3 format.
