What is the Secret to the Chorale? Part 1 | Illustrated Theory of Music #5

Keep up to date with the OAE's Illustrated Theory of Music.
Subscribe to our TH-cam channel today by clicking the red 'subscribe' button. It is free for you and it would mean a lot to us! / @oae
Welcome to the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment's, 'Illustrated Theory of Music'. This series of short, informal videos animate the stories behind music theory and provoke new questions about what we think we know. What does a 'quaver' really mean? Why do we use bars? Why does it have to be so slow? The series is led by the OAE’s dedicated musicians but audiences are invited to ask questions, challenge conventional wisdom and help to build a new understanding of music. Please share your thoughts in the comment box below!
In this episode, OAE Principal Oboe Katharina Spreckelsen marvels at the power and influence of the great Chorale.
Special thanks to guests Hugo Hymas, tenor and Steven Devine, harpsichord.
Website: oae.co.uk
Facebook: / orchestraoftheageofenl...
Twitter: / theoae
Instagram: / oae_photos
If you enjoyed this video, please consider making a donation to
support the OAE: oae.co.uk/donate

[@cihant5438]

This is beautifully explained. Thank you for this..

[@TheMarkEH]

This was extremely enlightening and enjoyable. Thank you

[@tlewis84able]

Thanks for explaining this in a way that this rock-n-roller can understand.

[@phwbooth]

Nice set of comments, thanks. I would just add that some chorale melodies were modifications of the tunes of medieval plainsong hymns. 'derived from the Trisagion for Good Friday is an example.

[@steveschmidt5156]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@robertfletcher3421]

Very informative.

[@ElarKun]

Great video!
Although I am shocked that the history of the chorale BEFORE Luther is omitted here. The viewer might get wrong idea that chorale started with Luther while it is much older.

[@uhoh007]

To me, Bach's sad, dissonant harmonies are a lament to the victims of Luther's oblivious opportunism. First the Farmers Rebellion, inspired and condemned by Luther, and then the 30 years War after which half of everyone were gone. The Reformation was a catastrophe the dark lyrics of these hymns evoke. I agree the chorales should be sung and cherished, and the singing by congregations was innovative solace for a loss of very old rituals. Italian music did not seem to suffer at any level without it, but I do love to play the hymns.

[@annbrookens945]

As a long time church goer and singer (amateur) in school-, church-, and community- choirs, I found this very interesting!

[@ekaterinasogny]

I loved listening to the presenter. Such a pleasure!

[@idraote]

Lovely video, very clear

[@katieheller624]

Thank you for a fun and informative explanation !

[@leoperarm]

Fantastic ! I loved the explanation, and this concept is entertaining and informative

[@monicacall7532]

This will be so helpful in my teaching. Many thanks!

[@charliespinoza1966]

Thank you

[@poetChinweJohn]

Thank you for this educational video! The comment section provides some useful information as well.

[@sifridbassoon]

and don't forget that in Germany in the 1600s, there was a lot of "things are going really badly, I hope they get better in the end." The armies of the 30 Year's War were savaging back and forth across Germany, burning, looting, and murdering.

[@robloxmaniacdanceandshake7871]

Excellent.....

[@RikardPeterson]

Interesting to hear this version of Ein feste Burg. I've never heard it swing before! In modern hymn books (at least in Sweden) it has no rhythm - just holds a bit at the end of every phrase.

[@orgelspielerkmd]

The “rhythmic” version is original. The “isometric” version was a later adaption to make it sound more like a battle hymn, which likely wasn’t the original intent.

[@RikardPeterson]

@@orgelspielerkmd I got that it was the original. Battle hymn? Tell me more! I just assumed it was a misguided attempt at making it easier to sing or something.

[@orgelspielerkmd]

Rikard Peterson well, one must admit that one can have a rather grand presentation with the isometric version. There are multiple sources out there for the “battle hymn” interpretation. If you search on TH-cam for Betty Butterfield Lutherans, that’s the kind of musical setting in the introduction and closing that calls to mind the battle imagery. It’s also a damn funny video. 🤣

[@DavidMaurand]

after all that, the final chorale is played by elite professionals?!

[@andrewknight8778]

I think you’ll find all the amateur groups everywhere have had to stop playing and singing together!

[@gideonvos5967]

Small correction: Luther lived till 1546.

[@capezyo]

Excellent, thank you

[@rickythe2nd63]

God be praised

[@capezyo]

M. Luther was top

[@rraddena]

eh, you give this arch heretic too much credit.