The Whole Church Sings

<DIV><I>Authoritative study by a renowned musicologist and Reformation scholar</I><BR /><BR /> Many scholars think that congregational singing was not established in Lutheran worship until well after the start of the Reformation. In this book Robin A. Leaver calls that view into question presenting new research to confirm the earlier view that congregational singing was both the intention and the practice right from the beginning of the Wittenberg reforms in worship.<BR /><BR /> Leaver's study focuses on the Wittenberg hymnal of 1526 which until now has received little scholarly attention. This hymnal Leaver argues shows how the Lutheran Reformation was to a large degree defined expressed promoted and taken to heart through early Lutheran hymns. Examining what has been forgotten or neglected about the origins of congregational hymnody under Martin Luther's leadership this study of worship music and liturgy is a significant contribution to Reformation scholarship.</DIV>