Johann Walter

Full biography Johann Walter

Johann Walter was a composer born in Germany in 1496, who lived during a time when music was rapidly evolving. He is known for his significant contributions to the development of Lutheran Church music in the sixteenth century, particularly in the area of chorale music.

Walter was a close associate of Martin Luther, and he worked tirelessly to reform the musical practices in the Protestant Church. His work focused on creating new music based on the vernacular language of the Bible, rather than the traditional use of Latin. This led to the creation of hymns that could be easily sung by the congregation, rather than just the trained choir.

One of Walter's most significant contributions was the development of the "Wittenberg Choirbook," a collection of choral music that served as a model for future church music. He was a prolific composer who wrote many hymns, including "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh' darein," "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein," and "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott," which Luther himself said was "the greatest hymn of all."

Walter's influence extended beyond music, as he was involved in the creation of the Lutheran Church's liturgy. He worked to ensure that music was an integral part of the church service and that it played a significant role in conveying religious messages to the congregation.

Johann Walter's legacy in the world of classical music lives on 500 years later, as his music has been performed and enjoyed by many generations of musicians and listeners. His innovative approach to music composition and his dedication to reforming the use of music in the church helped shape the direction of Western music in the centuries that followed.