Christian Cyclopedia

(1496–1570). Composer; friend of M. Luther*; b. probably Kahla, on the Thuringian Saale, near Jena, cen. Ger.; active in Torgau from the mid–1520s to 1548, Dresden 1548–54; lived in Torgau 1554–70. Helped Luther prepare music for Deudsche Messe (see Luther, Liturgies of). Issued Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn 1524, for which Luther wrote the foreword; other works include 2 Passions (see Passion, The) and the text of the hymn “Der Bräut'gam wird bald rufen.” Walther is regarded by some as the real founder of the musical liturgy of the Luth. ch. See also Kantorei; Music, Church.