Musica Christi—A Lutheran Aesthetic

Hendrickson (religion and music, Concordia U., Wisconsin) describes the role of music in the worship traditions of the Lutheran Church and its foundation in the Christ, using translations of Danish, German, Latin, Norwegian and Swedish works as well as those in English. He begins with an historical survey of music in the Lutheran Church, beginning with Luther and his commitment to singing and saying the Gospel, proceeding to other sources of influence and inspiration such as Rhau, Praetorius, Kepler, the Scandinavian tradition, the mystical union, and the controversies within the American Lutheran churches about worship and the place of music within it. Hendrickson then moves from history to doctrine, examining the Incarnation in musical form, the aspect of the composer crucified, the ideal of the new song, and the offices of the Word inherent in both musician and music. Annotation c2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)