Despite the theological borders between Catholicism and Protestantism, there’s no doubt that a much more ecumenical spirit permeates the musical expression of these two Christian faiths. With an eye towards the upcoming commemoration year of 500 years since the Reformation, Martin Luther comes into view on his birthday anniversary, the 10th of November. Not only did Luther pen many of the hymns of the new church, but his influence was felt far and wide within both Protestant and Catholic worlds. In the years that followed the famous 1517 church-door protest, a musical wealth ensued: tunes associated with Luther’s world, as well as compositions from such milestone moments as the Catholic Counter-Reformation and onwards into Bach’s time, will feature prominently on this week’s musical itinerary.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 13th November, 7am-10am