Solemn honor: 200 years of Thibaut's influence on church music!

Solemn honor: 200 years of Thibaut's influence on church music!

Anton Friedrich Justus Thibaut, an outstanding figure in the history of music and law, was appointed to the University of Heidelberg in 1805. In addition to his academic career, Thibaut was also a university director for some time and is considered one of the most important representatives of Roman law. His music-aesthetic polemic “On the Purity of Tonal Art,” published in 1825, has established itself as a fundamental work of the church music renewal movement. Here he lays out principles that are still being discussed today.

In 1814, Thibaut founded a singing circle that focused on vocal music from the 16th to 18th centuries. This singing circle quickly developed into a central meeting place for music-loving citizens in Heidelberg, which made Thibaut an important player in the regional music scene. Ulrich Konrad, an expert on European music from the 17th to 20th centuries, is convinced of Thibaut's influence. He received the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize in 2001 and has taught at various universities since his habilitation in 1991, most recently as a senior professor at the Institute for Music Research in Würzburg.

Events celebrating Thibaut's legacy

To mark the 200th anniversary of Thibaut's important writing, several events will take place in Heidelberg in 2025. A lecture by Ulrich Konrad, entitled "On the German Purity Law for Law and Music. Reflections on Anton Friedrich Justus Thibaut", addresses the connections between law and music in Thibaut's work. These events are held in cooperation with the Musicology Seminar at Heidelberg University.

A special exhibition in the Museum of Sacred Art and Liturgy in the Jesuit Church will be on view from July 7th to September 30th, 2025. Exhibits from Thibaut's musical legacy, which were developed by students of the musicology seminar, are presented here. There will also be a concert by the Cappella Palatina Heidelberg on July 11, 2025. This concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature music from Thibaut's collection as well as excerpts from “On Purity of Tonal Art.”

The role of music in the church

The connection between music and its application in churches is another aspect that is important in the context of Thibaut's work. The church music specialist group of the Society for Music Research emphasizes the diversity of church music expressions. It includes both functional liturgical and spiritual music and deals with the musical practices of different Christian denominations. Musical diversity in the church has its own requirements since, as is noted, each instrument has its own time and place.

In this context, it was also made clear that some instruments, especially string instruments and flutes, often do not have the necessary sonority for churches. Wind instruments, especially the trombone, are considered particularly suitable because they can spread the sound powerfully. In addition, human voices can often surpass instruments in their effect, which underlines the importance of singing culture in church music.

Overall, the examination of Thibaut's legacy and the role of music in the churches illustrates a profound connection between law, music and spiritual life, which is also reflected in modern research and practice. Further information and contact options for those interested can be found on the website of the Church Music Section of the Society for Music Research.

Further details on these topics can also be found in the report by Heidelberg University and in the comments on church music research Society for Music Research to find.