The Role of 18th Century Church Songs, with Special Regard to the Reforms of Maria Theresa

The study examines the gathering and application of church songs altered by the music decrees of Maria Theresa, an educated leader from the era of enlightened absolutism.We look at how religiosity transformed from Baroque to 'enlightened' beliefs.The enlightened person did not become an atheist; rather, they started to approach their faith through reason and practicality.They sought to understand their beliefs and integrate them into the everyday life.The church songs of that period were modified to mirror this change in perspective, creating a unique cultural-historical contradiction: Baroque lyrics and melodies were replaced, and the quest for rationality resulted in the widespread acceptance of trivial and simplistic lyrics, a trend that had not been observed before.Another significant contradiction, from an educational standpoint, is the Normaschulgesangbuch (Norm School Songbook) developed by Ignaz Felbiger.This book was extensively used in Vienna for many years and shaped the singing curriculum for generations, influencing the singing culture of elementary school students and future educators, ultimately impacting public taste in a way that lacks refinement.Changes in church singing practices took place not only in Southern Germany but also in Hungary.However, it is important to note that congregations were not willing to completely replace the singing repertoire, reflecting their inherent good taste, as only a few of the more popular songs remained in regular use.Many songs that were 'in vogue' during that time are still found in the songbooks of various denominations today.These songs are still beloved and are joyfully sung in our churches today, regardless of denomination.