Amazon.com description: Product Description: The German tradition of chorales (church hymns) goes back to the Reformation in the early 16th century, when the Protestant church, led by Martin Luther, broke away from the Catholic Church. Part of the Reformation philosophy was to worship in the language of the congregation, and thus the Lutheran chorale was born. Chorale melodies were composed by many people; some predate the Reformation, for example the plainchant ‘Veni Redemptor’ which became ‘Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland’. In the first half of the 18th century, Johann Sebastian Bach harmonised many chorales in his cantatas and other vocal works; his style has become a standard method of harmony for music students. Also available from the same publisher: Harmonising Bach Chorales