chorale

[ kuh-ral, -rahl, kaw-, koh-; kawr-uhl, kohr- ]

noun

1. a hymn, especially one with strong harmonization:

   a Bach chorale.

2. a group of singers specializing in singing church music; choir.

chorale

/ kɒˈrɑːl /

noun

1. a slow stately hymn tune, esp of the Lutheran Church
2. a choir or chorus

Word History and Origins

Origin of chorale¹

1835–45; < German Choral, short for Choralgesang, translation of Latin cantus chorālis choral singing; choral

Word History and Origins

Origin of chorale¹

C19: from German Choralgesang, translation of Latin cantus chorālis choral song

Example Sentences

The chorale is an all-volunteer group of talented singers, directed by the dedicated Joseph Crnko, and deserved every minute of that standing ovation!

From Seattle Times

She adds: “The chorale helped me gain back a sense of self-confidence that — somewhere along the way — I lost.”

From Los Angeles Times

You might know two or three of his chorale preludes.

From New York Times

Phil in 1996, has what its composer calls “quasi-folk music,” a kind of folk music of the future, along with a formal chorale and canon, along with an homage to Sibelius.

From Los Angeles Times

As if to balance that, the Sibelius symphony was rife with woodwind and brass chorales; the strings don’t even enter until the 18th measure.

From New York Times

Related Words

• chant
• ditty
• oratorio
• paean
• psalm