Meinardus: Luther in Worms, Op. 36

In conjunction with the Martin Luther Decade and in preparation for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, cpo presents the two-part oratorio Luther in Worms by Ludwig Meinardus (1827-96) in a recording from the 22nd Knechtsteden Festival. After harsh judgments pronounced upon him by Schumann and Mendelssohn, Meinardus joined a pietistic, nationalist and Protestant-combined revival movement. Nevertheless, his principal work does not go over into empty bombast and heroic posing but holds in store many musical refinements, cast in an operatic design.