A cyclical composition based in whole or part on the Lutheran chorales derived from the Ordinary of the Mass. Luther introduced the concept of such hymnic alternatives in his Deutsche Messe (1526; the specific chorales are given in Lutheran church music, §2) particularly cultivated in the 20th century, notably by Pepping and Distler. The designation is often applied (incorrectly) to the third part of Bach’s Clavier-Übung because it contains organ settings of the Lutheran Kyrie, Gloria and Credo chorales.
See Chorale settings.
ROBERT L. MARSHALL/ROBIN A. LEAVER