Martin Luther had an intimate relationship with the music of his time. He had intensive musical training as a child, wrote a number of his...

Martin Luther had an intimate relationship with the music of his time. He had intensive musical training as a child, wrote a number of his own melodies, and was an admirer of the works of Senfl, Finck und Josquin. He learnt to play the lute whilst suffering illness in 1503, and studied the technique of intabulation. Music also provided Luther with solace and a place of refuge, as can be heard in his "Frau Musica singt". The present selection of pieces by Luther and composers from his immediate environment are performed here by countertenor Franz Vitzthum accompanied by lutenist Julian Behr.