MennoLink Books and Music

The Mirror of the Martyrs exhibit developed after longtime Mennonite historians Robert S. Kreider and John S. Oyer became aware of 23 existing copper plates from etchings included in the 1685 publication of the Mennonite book Martyrs Mirror. An Inter- Mennonite Martyrs Mirror Trust Fund purchased them and, in 1990, Kreider and Oyer mounted a traveling exhibit of the plates and their prints. When Oyer and Kreider agreed that hymns related to these plates would enrich the visual experience of the exhibition, Oyer began searching 16th and 17th century German hymnals for texts written by the martyrs represented in the prints, or about the martyrs. Later, tunes were chosen by a hymnology class at the Associated Mennonite biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, and combined with the texts. The Eastern Mennonite University Chamber Singers perform choral settings of these martyr hymns and ballads.

The recording also features 20th century responses to stories from the Martyrs Mirror. Prompted by organist and CD producer Shirley Sprunger King, composer Brent Weaver wrote three works for solo organ inspired by poetry by Sarah Klassen. Klassen's poems, a response to the Mirror of the Martyrs exhibit, are included on the recording, read by Raylene Hinz-Penner. A final composition by Weaver, I Sing With Exultation, is a setting of a hymn text by Anabaptist leader Felix Manz and features the EMU Chamber Singers with organ accompaniment by Shirley Sprunger King.