1. Loewe, J. Andreas. “‘Musica Est Optimum’: Martin Luther’s Theory of Music,” Music & 0 0 0 Letters 94, no 4 (2013): 573-605
“‘Musica Est Optimum’: Martin Luther’s Theory of Music”, an article by J. Andreas Loewes begins by citing a volume written by Carl Schalk titled Luther on Music, which updated previous records on the subject written by Walter Buszin and Paul Nettl. Schalk claimed that their works “caused frustration because of a lack of documentation”, though there were other issues as well [maybe expand] (573). Schalk’s work was later updated by Robin Leaver, who wrote his own comprehensive study on the subject of Martin Luther and music. Loewe states that both of these works “concentrate on Luther’s practical reforms to …show more content…
He believes that music must be used correctly, or else it could be twisted and used for evil purposes. This idea of freedom vs. order influenced Luther’s stance on education. Tarry states that, “Luther's belief that listening to and singing good music makes a man more reasonable and well-mannered, closely corresponds to his belief that general education produces an orderly society,” (361). However, education was being neglected by the secular authorities, particularly for those who were not wealthy, so Luther established several Evangelical Schools for girls and boys to attend. This satisfied a need for minimal education even for those who did not intend to pursue a career. Luther balanced order and freedom in that boys only needed to attend school for two hours a day, which left the rest of the day for them to learn a trade or work at home (and girls attended for one hour a day, which left the rest for them to work at home). School was so short because he believed that “endless hours in the classroom would only cause them to create discipline problems” (362). This idea of balancing freedom and order was not a new one, it was also held by Plato, and along the same time, John Calvin and other theologians and philosophers. What was unique about Luther was the way in which he applied it in his
“‘Musica Est Optimum’: Martin Luther’s Theory of Music”, an article by J. Andreas Loewes begins by citing a volume written by Carl Schalk titled Luther on Music, which updated previous records on the subject written by Walter Buszin and Paul Nettl. Schalk claimed that their works “caused frustration because of a lack of documentation”, though there were other issues as well [maybe expand] (573). Schalk’s work was later updated by Robin Leaver, who wrote his own comprehensive study on the subject of Martin Luther and music. Loewe states that both of these works “concentrate on Luther’s practical reforms to …show more content…
He believes that music must be used correctly, or else it could be twisted and used for evil purposes. This idea of freedom vs. order influenced Luther’s stance on education. Tarry states that, “Luther's belief that listening to and singing good music makes a man more reasonable and well-mannered, closely corresponds to his belief that general education produces an orderly society,” (361). However, education was being neglected by the secular authorities, particularly for those who were not wealthy, so Luther established several Evangelical Schools for girls and boys to attend. This satisfied a need for minimal education even for those who did not intend to pursue a career. Luther balanced order and freedom in that boys only needed to attend school for two hours a day, which left the rest of the day for them to learn a trade or work at home (and girls attended for one hour a day, which left the rest for them to work at home). School was so short because he believed that “endless hours in the classroom would only cause them to create discipline problems” (362). This idea of balancing freedom and order was not a new one, it was also held by Plato, and along the same time, John Calvin and other theologians and philosophers. What was unique about Luther was the way in which he applied it in his