Chorälen
Chorälen, or chorales in English, are German hymn tunes and four-part hymn settings that are central to Lutheran church music. They originated in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation, when congregational singing in the vernacular became common. The texts were written or adapted by Luther and other poets, and melodies were often borrowed from earlier chants or secular tunes before being paired with German lyrics. Chorälen were designed to be sung by the whole congregation and served as a unifying element in worship.
In liturgical practice, chorales appeared as simple melodies suitable for communal singing, typically arranged in four-part
Notable figures associated with chorälen include Martin Luther and Johann Walter, who helped establish the practice
Today, chorälen are studied for their historical and musical significance, performed in church services and concert