Fratres by Libercantus

Music unites what history has divided

Luther's posting of the ninety-five theses on the door of the church of Wittenberg, in 1517, caused an irreparable break with the church of Rome, but despite this Lutheranism preserved much of the Catholic liturgy, the relevant use of Latin in services religious up to the end of the XVIII century and a good part of the musical repertoire, both keeping the original text and translating it into German. Luther himself sang and composed, appreciated the works of Josquin des Prez and the greatest composers of his time, but above all he was firmly convinced of the educational and ethical power of music. He demanded that the entire assembly play an active role in the performance of the liturgical songs, and for this reason he chose the main choir of the reformed church. In a letter from 1530 to the musician L. Senfl, Luther states that "... music is a sublime gift that God has given us. I wouldn't give anything I know about music to any treasure. "

It is through music that the theme of brotherhood can be exalted, because in music Catholicism and Protestantism have maintained a constant dialogue over the centuries.

STRUCTURE OF THE DISC AND TEXTS

The four sections that make up this program take the title from as many paragraphs of choruses composed by Luther and compare works of Catholic derivation with other Lutherans in an anthological proposal that touches different eras and styles including also choral improvisations.

The listener is thus involved in a path that, starting from the profession of the Creed, reaches the De Profundis and the poignant harmonies of the Stabat Mater.

The first performances of Gianluca Castelli's compositions, as well as Lutheran-inspired pieces, were performed by Libercantus on the occasion of the inaugural concert of the 73rd Umbrian Music Festival, dedicated to the Lutheran anniversary and entitled "Fratres. Music unites what history has divided. "

Tracklist

1.	Wir glauben all an einen Gott	3:55

2.	Alta Trinità beata	5:45

3.	Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott	5:15

4.	Oh Jesu dolce	3:41

5.	Daemon irrepit callidus	1:40

6.	Mit Fried' und Freud'	1:48

7.	Prière	4:19

8.	Ave maris stella	5:36

9.	Aus tiefer Not	4:46

10.	Super flumina Babylonis	3:59

11.	Stabat mater	3:16

Credits

released May 15, 2020

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