Johann Walther

Johann Walther (1496–1570), poet and composer, was a friend of Martin Luther. He is known as the master of the German hymn; his collections of chorales of 1524, Geystliches gesangk Buchleyn, was the first collection of hymns for the Lutheran church (Luther himself wrote the preface for it). His piece, "Joseph, lieber Joseph mein" which has been sung by the Choir in December concerts survives because it was included by Praetorius in the fifth volume of his collection Musae Sioniae of 1607.

Vocal works performed by the San Francisco Bach Choir

Joseph, lieber Joseph mein