The article analysis the influence of the Lutheran musical tradition on the rise of the Song Festivals (the second half of the 19th century) in Switzerland, Germany and the Baltic lands. Song festivals were born in Lutheran lands of Switzerland and Germany, from where they were transferred by German colonists to the Baltic lands. Lutheran chanting traditions are the outcome of the communal chanting and choirs. Moreover, the rise of Song Festivals was induced by historical and political preconditions – the dominance of capitalism, the processes of the nations formation, the movements of the national rebirth.KEY WORDS: Song Festivals, choirs, Lutheran, Switzerland, Germany, Baltic lands, communal chanting, tradition, nations formation
