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Featured New Release: 'Reformation 500'

 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which began when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. A new album produced by Rachel Currea is a musical celebration of the the many contributions of Martin Luther.

 

The album includes music that Martin Luther himself composed, such as “Einfeste Burg istunserGott” (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”) and “Non moriarsedvivam” (“I shall not die but live”). There are also pieces from the era of the Protestant Reformation that Martin Luther inspired, such as settings of Martin Luther’s music by Ludwig Senfl and Johann Walther.

 

Other music on the album was composed in the 21st century. Some of the pieces are texts written by Martin Luther that Currea then set to music. These include “Our Father Now in Heaven Above” (Luther’s version of the Lord’s Prayer), for chorus, soloists and harp, and “Christ Lay in Death’s Strong Bands,” for soprano and piano. Other original compositions by Currea such as “We Stand in Righteousness” and “Hymn to the Holy Spirit” round out the album.

 

Currea is a composer, arranger, pianist and conductor, and she plays all of those roles on this album. The performers are artists from the greater Miami community, including students and faculty from Florida International University.

Dr. Amanda Sewell is IPR's music director.