| Contents |
Hugo Distler's life and times. Music in Germany at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Orgelbewegung ; Gebrauchsmusik and neoclassicism -- Distler's early life and education ; First position: organist at the St. Jakobikirche ; The Stuttgart years ; Professor in Berlin -- The organ works. Partita, Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, opus 8/I ; Partita, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, opus 8/II ; Kleine Orgelchoral-Bearbeitungen, opus 8/III ; Dreissig Spielstucke fur die Kleinorgel oder andere Tasteninstrumente, opus 18/I ; Orgelsonate (Trio), opus 18/II -- Sacred choral works. Motet, Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr, opus 2 ; Eine deutsche Choralmesse, opus 3 ; Kleine Adventsmusik, opus 4 ; Der Jahrkreis, opus 5 ; Christ, der du bist der helle Tag, ops 6/I ; Drei kleine Choralmotetten, opus 6/II ; Choralpassion, opus 7 ; Die Weihnachtsgeschichte, opus 10 ; Choralkantaten: Wo Gott zum Haus nit gibt sein Gunst, opus 11/I; Nun danket all und bringet Her, opus 11/II ; Geistliche chormusik, opus 12 ; Liturgische Satze uber altevangelische Kyrie-und Gloriaweisen, opus 13 -- Distler's influence in Europe and America -- Appendix A. Programs of the vesper services at the Saint Jakobikirche, Lubeck, Germany, 1931-1937 -- Appendix B. The published works of Hugo Distler -- Appendix C. Concordia editions of music by Hugo Distler. |
| Abstract |
This book is the first biography in any language of this outstanding contemporary German Lutheran composer. Hugo Distler, who died in 1942, stands as a leader in the renewal of German church music which has profoundly influenced all church music, also in America. The movement for the renewal of music in the Evangelical Church of Germany began during the late 1920s and the 1930s. It resulted partly from the new understanding of the church which was developing at that time and partly from musicological studies in early Lutheran church music, organ construction, and other related areas. The two composers who came to the fore at this time in German church music were Hugo Distler and Ernst Pepping. Hugo Distler took Heinrich Schutz as his model and in his music he follows many of the same techniques as Schutz, especially the close relationship between the music and the text. "Wortgebundenheit" describes the music of both in a single word. In this book the author presents a descriptive study of the composer's life, work, and contribution to the German musical scene in the second quarter of the 20th century. As helpful accompaniment it includes an analysis of Distler's organ and choral music, along with many illustrations of his musical scores. The final chapter reviews the effect of Hugo Distler's innovations on the later development of church music both in Germany and in America. Of special interest is a unique insight into his influence on two well-known American church music composers, Jan Bender and Richard Wienhorst. |
