Review


Martin Luther
Luther Suite in Three Movements:

Arranged by Rich Mays

brass quintet and organ

Savannah, GA, United States
Publisher: Sonare Publications
Date of Publication: 2003

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass
Secondary Genre: Chamber Music

Martin Luther (1483-1546) composed or adapted many chorale tunes for use with his own hymns. The three comprising this suite are: Our Father, who in Heaven Above (Vater unser in Himmelreich), a setting of The Lord’s Prayer published in 1539; the arrangement calls for trumpet in C and flugelhorn in B-flat. Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee (Aus Tiefer noch schrei ich zu dir), a setting of Psalm 130 which appeared in Luther’s first Protestant Hymnal in 1524. This selection includes some harmonization by Johann Schein and is scored for two trumpets in C. A Mighty Fortress (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott), Luther’s most famous hymn, a paraphrase of Psalm 46, first published in 1528. This movement incorporates a ‘brass stanza’ by Samuel Scheidt; also for two trumpets in C, first doubling piccolo. All three movements call for horn in F, trombone, bass trombone/tuba and organ.

These colourful arrangements are suitable for either liturgical or recital use. Harmonies are rich and expressive; the movements are well contrasted in B-flat major, E minor and C major respectively. Each could, however, be performed separately. I particularly like the imaginative use of flugelhorn in the context of the brass quintet. Trombone ranges are F-g1 (tenor) and AA–e-flat1 (bass). There are few technical difficulties, but experienced players are needed, especially for ‘A Mighty Fortress,’ a brilliant setting with frequent changes of meter. Specified organ registration includes a 32’ diapason, suggesting that a fairly large instrument is required.

-Keith Davies Jones
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Reviewer: Review Author
Review Published January 15, 2025
Appears in Journal 36:1 (January, 2008)