Chorale.

Chorale. Though the name is occasionally applied to the psalm and hymn tunes of similar character used in the Protestant churches of France and Britain, it most properly belongs to the melodies sung to the metrical hymns of the German Reformed Church, and introduced by Luther, by whom and his friend Walther the first collection of importance was produced in 1524, and entitled the Enchiridion. The settings were in four, five, or six parts, the melody, as with all the old choral hymns and psalms, being given to the tenor. Numerous other collections appeared down to the later part of the 17th century, the most prolific composer of chorales being Johann Crüger. Many of them were harmonised in the most masterly way by Bach, and were also used by him as the canto fermo, or subject, of some of his great contrapuntal works. Some of them were adapted from the old hymn tunes of the Roman Church, others were taken from popular airs of the time, others again were original compositions; among the latter the most notable is Luther's 'Ein' feste Burg.' Whatever their source, they all possess in common a solemn, dignified, and devotional character. In Germany they are now usually sung very slowly and heavily in unison, with organ accompaniment. A few of them are well known in this country from their introduction in various collections of hymn tunes, and also in the choral works of Bach and Mendelssohn.