Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BuxWV 184

One of the greatest of Martin Luther’s chorales, 'Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott' is a paraphrase of Psalm 46. It has become closely associated with Reformation Day, which commemorates the day in 1517 on which Luther nailed his '95 Theses' to the door of the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg. The significance of this chorale is perhaps underpinned by the period he spent at Wartburg Castle following his denouncement as a heretic at the Diet of Worms.

Buxtehude’s setting of Luther’s melody (which is thought to have been adapted from the plainsong) is typical of his style. The melody is highly decorated, whilst the simple three-voice accompaniment uses small extracts of the chorale tune.

The organ at Noordbroek, built in the North German style, is well suited to the music of Buxtehude; the melody here is dominated by the sparkling Trompet of the Hoodfwerk.