Mus. [a. Ger. chora·l, in choral-gesang, = med.L. cantus chorāl-is: see CHORAL a.
App. the e has been added to indicate stress on the second syllable (cf. locale, morale); it is often mistaken to mean a separate syllable.]
A sacred choral song characteristic of the reformed church of Germany; a metrical hymn set to a tune of simple devotional character, and usually sung in unison. Also used of the tune without reference to the words.
Well-known examples are Luther’s ‘Ein’ feste Burg,’ and Crüger’s ‘Nun danket alle Gott.’ ‘Choral-gesang was originally the Plain-song of the Latin church, which Luther wished to retain. It was only when German metrical hymns gradually superseded in common use the other parts of the service, that the name choral in course of time became restricted to the melodies of these hymns.’ J. R. M. in Grove Appx.
1841. Longf., Children Lord’s Sup., 44. David’s harp in the North-land Tuned to the Choral of Luther.
1855. Albrechtsberger’s Compos., 188. Fugues contain only the chorale in one part.
1862. Lady Wallace, trans. Mendelssohn’s Lett., 16 Oct. 1830. I finished … a choral in three movements for chorus and orchestra.
1867. Macfarren, Harmony, i. 15. The Lutheran Choral, ‘An Wasserflüssen Babylons.’
1886. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav. (Ps.) cxxx. 8. This is no cry out of the depths, but a chorale in the heights.
