List of Bach cantatas by liturgical function
Encyclopedia
This is a list of sacred Bach cantata
s, cantata
s composed for use in the Lutheran
church by Johann Sebastian Bach
, in the order of their intended use in the liturgical calendar
. The prescribed readings for each occasion are listed first, then the cantata(s) for the occasion, including their BWV number, and the date of their first performance, if known.
, he was from 1714 to 1717 commissioned to compose one church cantata a month. In the course of almost four years there he thus covered most occasions of the liturgical year.
As cantor
in Leipzig
Bach was responsible for the Thomasschule
and for the church music at the main churches, where a cantata
was required for the service on Sundays and additional church holidays of the liturgical year
. When Bach took up his office in 1723, he started to compose new cantatas for most occasions, beginning with Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
, first performed in the Nikolaikirche on 30 May 1723, the first Sunday after Trinity
. He collected them in annual cycles, five are mentioned in obituaries, three are extant. Bach started a second annual cycle on the first Sunday after Trinity of 1724, composing only chorale cantata
s, each based on a single church hymn, first O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20, then works such as Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
, and Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1.
Leipzig observed tempus clausum, quiet time, in Advent
and Lent
, when no cantatas were performed. All cantatas for these occasions date from Bach's earlier time. He reworked some cantatas from this period for different occasions. The high holidays Christmas
, Easter
and Pentecost
were each celebrated on three days. Additionally, feasts were celebrated on fixed dates, the feasts of Mary
, Purification (Mariae Reinigung, 2 February), Annunciation
(Mariae Verkündigung, 2 March) and Visitation (Mariae Heimsuchung, 2 July), and the Saint's days of St. John the Baptist (Johannis, 24 June), St. Michael
(Michaelis, 29 September), St. Stephen (Stephanus, 26 December, the second day of Christmas) and St. John the Evangelist (Johannes, 27 December, the third day of Christmas). Further feasts on fixed days were New Year's Day
(Neujahr, 1 January), Epiphany (Epiphanias, 6 January) and Reformation Day
(Reformationsfest, 31 October). Sacred cantatas were also performed for the inauguration of a new city council (Ratswechsel, in Leipzig in August), consecration of church and organ, weddings, confession, funerals, and functions of the University of Leipzig
.
The Lutheran
church of Bach's time prescribed the same readings every year, a section from a Gospel
and, recited before, a corresponding section from an Epistle
. A connection between the cantata text and the readings was desired. The readings are listed for each occasion, Epistle and Gospel, and linked to the Bible text in the King James version, an English translation contemporary to Bach's time, which read the translation of Martin Luther
.
The church year begins with the first Sunday in Advent
, but Bach started his annual cycles on the first Sunday after Trinity, as John Eliot Gardiner points out:
Roman numerals refer to the position of the given Sunday with respect to a feast day or season. For example, "Advent III" is the third Sunday in Advent and "Trinity V" is the fifth Sunday after Trinity. The number of Sundays after Epiphany and Trinity varies with the position of Easter in the calender. There can be between 22 and 27 Sundays after Trinity. The maximum number of Sundays after Epiphany did not occur while Bach wrote cantatas.
. In Leipzig, only on the first Sunday a cantata was performed, because it was a Fastenzeit (season of abstinence).
composed the Christmas Oratorio
in six parts, to be performed as the cantata in the service on the six feast days, three days of Christmas, New Year, the Sunday after New Year and Epiphany.
and St. Stephen's Day
in alternating years, with different readings.
.
is the third Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
is the second Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
, the Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter, "quiet time" was observed in Leipzig. Only the feast of Annunciation was celebrated with a cantata, even if it fell in that time. On Good Friday
, a Passion
was performed in Leipzig in a Vespers service.
comprises the time up to Pentecost, starting with three days of Easter.
, the Sunday after Pentecost, the Trinity
is celebrated.
are celebrated on 2 February.
(Mariae Verkündigung) is celebrated on 25 March.
(Johannis) is celebrated on 24 June.
with Elizabeth, including her song of praise, the Magnificat
, is celebrated on 2 July.
's Day (Michaelis) is celebrated on 29 September.
is celebrated on 31 October.
Bach cantata
Bach cantata became a term for a cantata of the German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach who was a prolific writer of the genre. Although many of his works are lost, around 200 cantatas survived....
s, cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
s composed for use in the Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
church by Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
, in the order of their intended use in the liturgical calendar
Liturgical year
The liturgical year, also known as the church year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of Scripture are to be read. Distinct liturgical colours may appear in...
. The prescribed readings for each occasion are listed first, then the cantata(s) for the occasion, including their BWV number, and the date of their first performance, if known.
Background
Throughout his life as a musician, Bach composed cantatas for both secular and sacred use. In WeimarWeimar
Weimar is a city in Germany famous for its cultural heritage. It is located in the federal state of Thuringia , north of the Thüringer Wald, east of Erfurt, and southwest of Halle and Leipzig. Its current population is approximately 65,000. The oldest record of the city dates from the year 899...
, he was from 1714 to 1717 commissioned to compose one church cantata a month. In the course of almost four years there he thus covered most occasions of the liturgical year.
As cantor
Cantor (church)
A cantor is the chief singer employed in a church with responsibilities for the ecclesiastical choir; also called the precentor....
in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
Bach was responsible for the Thomasschule
Thomasschule zu Leipzig
St. Thomas School, Leipzig is a co-educational and public boarding school in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. It was founded by the Augustinians in 1212 and is one of the oldest schools in the world.St. Thomas is known for its art, language and music education...
and for the church music at the main churches, where a cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
was required for the service on Sundays and additional church holidays of the liturgical year
Liturgical year
The liturgical year, also known as the church year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of Scripture are to be read. Distinct liturgical colours may appear in...
. When Bach took up his office in 1723, he started to compose new cantatas for most occasions, beginning with Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
Die Elenden sollen essen , BWV 75, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata for the first Sunday after Trinity and first performed it in Leipzig on 30 May 1723...
, first performed in the Nikolaikirche on 30 May 1723, the first Sunday after Trinity
Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity...
. He collected them in annual cycles, five are mentioned in obituaries, three are extant. Bach started a second annual cycle on the first Sunday after Trinity of 1724, composing only chorale cantata
Chorale cantata
In music, a chorale cantata is a sacred composition for voices and instruments, principally from the German Baroque era, in which the organizing principle is the words and music to a chorale. Usually a chorale cantata is in multiple movements or parts. Most chorale cantatas were written between...
s, each based on a single church hymn, first O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20, then works such as Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland , BWV 61, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Weimar for the for the first Sunday in Advent and first performed it on 2 December 1714.-History and words:...
, and Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1.
Leipzig observed tempus clausum, quiet time, in Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
and Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
, when no cantatas were performed. All cantatas for these occasions date from Bach's earlier time. He reworked some cantatas from this period for different occasions. The high holidays Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
and Pentecost
Pentecost
Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus...
were each celebrated on three days. Additionally, feasts were celebrated on fixed dates, the feasts of Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, Purification (Mariae Reinigung, 2 February), Annunciation
Annunciation
The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her...
(Mariae Verkündigung, 2 March) and Visitation (Mariae Heimsuchung, 2 July), and the Saint's days of St. John the Baptist (Johannis, 24 June), St. Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
(Michaelis, 29 September), St. Stephen (Stephanus, 26 December, the second day of Christmas) and St. John the Evangelist (Johannes, 27 December, the third day of Christmas). Further feasts on fixed days were New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
(Neujahr, 1 January), Epiphany (Epiphanias, 6 January) and Reformation Day
Reformation Day
Reformation Day is a religious holiday celebrated on October 31 in remembrance of the Reformation, particularly by Lutheran and some Reformed church communities...
(Reformationsfest, 31 October). Sacred cantatas were also performed for the inauguration of a new city council (Ratswechsel, in Leipzig in August), consecration of church and organ, weddings, confession, funerals, and functions of the University of Leipzig
Paulinerkirche, Leipzig
The Paulinerkirche was a church on the Augustusplatz in Leipzig, named after the "Pauliner", its original Dominican friars. It was built in 1231 as the Klosterkirche St. Pauli for the Dominican monastery in Leipzig. From the foundation of the University of Leipzig in 1409, it served as the...
.
The Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
church of Bach's time prescribed the same readings every year, a section from a Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
and, recited before, a corresponding section from an Epistle
Epistle
An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and formal didactic letter. The epistle genre of letter-writing was common in ancient Egypt as part of the scribal-school writing curriculum. The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to Christians...
. A connection between the cantata text and the readings was desired. The readings are listed for each occasion, Epistle and Gospel, and linked to the Bible text in the King James version, an English translation contemporary to Bach's time, which read the translation of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
.
The church year begins with the first Sunday in Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
, but Bach started his annual cycles on the first Sunday after Trinity, as John Eliot Gardiner points out:
It also marked the beginning of the second half of the Lutheran liturgical year: the Trinity season or "Era of the Church" in which core issues of faith and doctrine are explored, in contrast to the first half, known as the "Temporale" which, beginning in Advent and ending on Trinity Sunday, focuses on the life of Christ, His incarnation, death and resurrection.
Roman numerals refer to the position of the given Sunday with respect to a feast day or season. For example, "Advent III" is the third Sunday in Advent and "Trinity V" is the fifth Sunday after Trinity. The number of Sundays after Epiphany and Trinity varies with the position of Easter in the calender. There can be between 22 and 27 Sundays after Trinity. The maximum number of Sundays after Epiphany did not occur while Bach wrote cantatas.
Advent
Advent is celebrated on the four Sundays before ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. In Leipzig, only on the first Sunday a cantata was performed, because it was a Fastenzeit (season of abstinence).
Advent I
- , night is advanced, day will come
- , the Entry into Jerusalem
- Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland , BWV 61, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Weimar for the for the first Sunday in Advent and first performed it on 2 December 1714.-History and words:...
, 2 December 1714 - Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland , BWV 62, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata, based on Martin Luther's chorale Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, in Leipzig for the first Sunday in Advent and first performed it on 3 December 1724.-History and words:Bach wrote the...
, 3 December 1724 - Schwingt freudig euch empor, BWV 36, c 1725–1730
- Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
Advent II
- , call of the Gentiles
- , coming of the Son of man
- Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70a, 6 December 1716 (expanded in 1723 to BWV 170 for Trinity XXVI)
Advent III
- , the ministry of faithful apostles
- , John the BaptistJohn the BaptistJohn the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
in prison- Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht, BWV 186Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht, BWV 186Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht , BWV 186, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was written originally in Weimar in 1716 for Advent, BWV 186a, and expanded in 1723 in Leipzig for the seventh Sunday after Trinity, where it was first performed on 11 July 1723.-Weimar:The cantata is based on a...
a, 13 December 1716 (expanded in 1723 to BWV 186 for Trinity VII)
- Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht, BWV 186
Advent IV
- , Be joyful in the Lord
- , testimony of John the BaptistJohn the BaptistJohn the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
- Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! BWV 132Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! BWV 132Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! , BWV 132, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in Weimar in 1715 for the fourth Sunday in Advent and first performed it on 22 December 1715....
, 22 December 1715 - Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147a, 20 December 1716 (expanded in 1723 to BWV 147 for Visitation)
- Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn! BWV 132
Christmas
The Christmas season was celebrated from Christmas Day through Epiphany. For the Christmas season of 1734 Bachcomposed the Christmas Oratorio
Christmas Oratorio
The Christmas Oratorio BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It was written for the Christmas season of 1734 incorporating music from earlier compositions, including three secular cantatas written during 1733 and 1734 and a...
in six parts, to be performed as the cantata in the service on the six feast days, three days of Christmas, New Year, the Sunday after New Year and Epiphany.
Christmas Day
- , God's mercy appeared (or
- , Unto us a child is born)
- , NativityNativity of JesusThe Nativity of Jesus, or simply The Nativity, refers to the accounts of the birth of Jesus in two of the Canonical gospels and in various apocryphal texts....
, Annunciation to the shepherdsAnnunciation to the shepherdsThe Annunciation to the shepherds is an episode in the Nativity of Jesus described in the Bible in Luke 2, in which angels tell a group of shepherds about the birth of Jesus...
and the angels' song- Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, BWV 63Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, BWV 63Christen, ätzet diesen Tag , BWV 63, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata for the First Day of Christmas, possibly in 1713.-History and words:...
, c. 1714/15 - Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 91Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 91Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ , BWV 91, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was written in Leipzig in 1724 for Christmas Day and first performed on 25 December 1724.-History and words:...
, 25 December 1724 - Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110, is a cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach.-Instrumentation:This cantata is written for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists, four-part chorus, three trumpets, three oboes, two Western concert flutes, fagotto , strings, timpani, and continuo.-Origin:This...
, 25 December 1725 - Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe, BWV 197a, 25 December ?1728 (partly lost)
- Jauchzet, frohlocket 25 December 1734 (Christmas Oratorio Part I)
- Gloria in excelsis Deo, BWV 191Gloria in excelsis Deo, BWV 191Gloria in excelsis Deo , BWV 191, is a sacred cantata written by the German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach, and the only one of his church cantatas set to a Latin text. It was likely first performed in Leipzig at Christmas of 1745 to celebrate the end of the Second Silesian War...
, 25 December 1745
- Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, BWV 63
Second Day of Christmas
On this day Leipzig celebrated ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
and St. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen's Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian saint's day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. Many Eastern Orthodox churches adhere to the Julian calendar and mark St. Stephen's Day on 27 December according to that calendar, which...
in alternating years, with different readings.
- For Christmas:
- , God's mercy appeared in Christ
- , the shepherds at the manger
- for St. Stephen's Day:
- and , MartyrMartyrA martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
dom of Stephen - , Jerusalem killing her prophets
- Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, BWV 40, 26 December 1723
- Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 121Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 121Christum wir sollen loben schon , BWV 121, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the Second Day of Christmas and first performed it on 26 December 1724....
, 26 December 1724 - Selig ist der Mann, BWV 57Selig ist der Mann, BWV 57Selig ist der Mann , BWV 57, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was written in Leipzig in 1725 for the Second Day of Christmas, which was celebrated that year as St...
, 26 December 1725 - Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend 26 December 1734 (Christmas Oratorio Part II)
Third Day of Christmas
- , Christ is higher than the angels
- , prologue, also called Hymn to the Word
- Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget, BWV 64Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget, BWV 64Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget , BWV 64, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach...
, 27 December 1723 - Ich freue mich in dir, BWV 133, 27 December 1724
- Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt, BWV 151, 27 December 1725
- Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen 27 December 1734 (Christmas Oratorio Part III)
- Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget, BWV 64
Christmas I
Depending on the position of Christmas, there is a Sunday before or after the new year.- , Through Christ we are free from the law
- , Simeon and Hannah talking to Mary
- Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152, 30 December 1714
- Das neugeborne Kindelein, BWV 122, 31 December 1724
- Gottlob! nun geht das Jahr zu Ende, BWV 28, 30 December 1725
New Year's Day
On 1 January, the New Year was celebrated as well as the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus.- , By faith we inherit
- Circumcision and naming of JesusCircumcision of JesusThe Circumcision of Jesus is an event from the life of Jesus of Nazareth according to the Gospel of Luke, which states in verse 2:21 that Jesus was circumcised eight days after his birth...
- Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 190Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 190Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied , BWV 190, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in Leipzig for the New Year's Day and first performed it on 1 January 1724...
, 1 January 1724 (instrumental parts lost) - Jesu, nun sei gepreiset, BWV 41, 1 January 1725
- Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 16, 1 January 1726
- Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm, BWV 171Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm, BWV 171Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm , BWV 171, is a church cantata of Johann Sebastian Bach, written for New Year's Day, probably first performed on 1 January 1729.-Scoring, words and structure:...
, 1 January ?1729 - Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben 1 January 1735 (Christmas Oratorio Part IV)
- Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 190
New Year I
- , Suffering of Christians
- , the Flight into EgyptFlight into EgyptThe flight into Egypt is a biblical event described in the Gospel of Matthew , in which Joseph fled to Egypt with his wife Mary and infant son Jesus after a visit by Magi because they learn that King Herod intends to kill the infants of that area...
- Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind, BWV 153Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind, BWV 153Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind , BWV 153, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in Leipzig for the Sunday after New Year's Day and first performed it on 2 January 1724.-History and words:...
, 2 January 1724 - Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 58, 5 January 1727
- Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen 2 January 1735 (Christmas Oratorio Part V)
- Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind, BWV 153
Epiphany
- , the heathen will convert
- , the Wise Men From the East
- Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen , BWV 65, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in 1724 in Leipzig for Epiphany and first performed it on 6 January 1724.-History and words:...
, 6 January 1724 - Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123, 6 January 1725
- Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben 6 January 1735 (Christmas Oratorio Part VI)
- Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65
After Epiphany
Depending on the date of Easter, a variable number (none up to four) of Sundays occurs between Epiphany and Septuagesima, the third Sunday before Ash WednesdayAsh Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, in the calendar of Western Christianity, is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter. It is a moveable fast, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter...
.
Epiphany I
- , the duties of a Christian
- , the finding in the TempleFinding in the TempleThe Finding in the Temple, also called "Christ among the Doctors" or the Disputation , was an episode in the early life of Jesus depicted in the Gospel of Luke. It is the only event of the later childhood of Jesus mentioned in a gospel.The episode is only described in...
- Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren, BWV 154Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren, BWV 154Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren , BWV 154, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He first performed it in Leipzig on the First Sunday after Epiphany, on 9 January 1724.-History and words:...
, 9 January 1724 - Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht, BWV 124, 7 January 1725
- Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen, BWV 32, 13 January 1726
- Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren, BWV 154
Epiphany II
- , we have several gifts
- , the Marriage at CanaMarriage at CanaIn Christianity, the transformation of water into wine at the Marriage at Cana or Wedding at Cana is the first miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John....
- Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange? BWV 155Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange? BWV 155Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange , BWV 155, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He first performed it in Weimar on the Second Sunday after Epiphany, on 19 January 1716.-History and words:...
, 19 January 1716 - Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3, 14 January 1725
- Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen, BWV 13, 20 January 1726
- Ich steh mit einem Fuss im Grabe, BWV 156, ?23 January 1729
- Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange? BWV 155
Epiphany III
- , rules for life
- , the healing of a leper
- Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir, BWV 73, 23 January 1724
- Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh allzeit, BWV 111, 21 January 1725
- Alles nur nach Gottes Willen, BWV 72, 27 January 1726
Epiphany IV
- , love completes the law
- , Jesus calming the stormCalming the stormthumb|240px|[[The Storm on the Sea of Galilee]] by [[Rembrandt]], 1632.Calming the storm is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels, namely in Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25 and Matthew 8:23-27....
- Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? BWV 81, 30 January 1724
- Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, BWV 14, 30 January 1735
Septuagesima
SeptuagesimaSeptuagesima
Septuagesima is the name for the ninth Sunday before Easter, the third before Ash Wednesday. The term is sometimes applied also to the period that begins on this day and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins. This period is also known as the pre-Lenten season or...
is the third Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
- , race for victory
- , parable of the Workers in the VineyardParable of the Workers in the VineyardThe Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is a parable of Jesus which appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament....
- Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin, BWV 144Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin, BWV 144Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin , BWV 144, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in 1724 in Leipzig for the Sunday Septuagesimae, the third Sunday before Ash Wednesday, and first performed it on 6 February 1724.-History and words:Bach wrote the cantata in his first year in...
, 6 February 1724 - Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn, BWV 92Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn, BWV 92Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn , BWV 92, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for Septuagesimae and first performed it on 28 January 1725....
, 28 January 1725 - Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, BWV 84, 9 February 1727
- Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin, BWV 144
Sexagesima
SexagesimaSexagesima
Sexagesima , or, in full, Sexagesima Sunday, is the name for the second Sunday before Ash Wednesday in the Gregorian Rite liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, and also in that of some Protestant denominations, particularly those with Anglican and Lutheran origins.The name "Sexagesima"...
is the second Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
- , God's power is mighty in the week,
- , parable of the SowerParable of the SowerThe Parable of the Sower is one of the parables of Jesus found in three out of the four Canonical gospels and in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas In this story, a sower dropped seed on the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns, and the seed was lost; but when seed fell on good earth, it...
- Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18, ?24 February 1715 or ?1713–14
- Leichtgesinnte Flattergeister, BWV 181, 13 February 1724
- Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BWV 126Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BWV 126Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort , BWV 126, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in 1725 in Leipzig for the Sunday Sexagesimae, the second Sunday before Ash Wednesday, and first performed it on 4 February 1725.-History and words:Bach wrote the chorale cantata in his second...
, 4 February 1725
Estomihi
Estomihi or Quinquagesima is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.- , praise of love
- , Healing the blind near Jericho
- Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe, BWV 22, 7 February 1723
- Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn, BWV 23, 7 February 1723
- Herr Jesu Christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott, BWV 127, 11 February 1725
- Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem , BWV 159, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Sunday Estomihi, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, and probably first performed it on 27 February 1729.-History and words:Bach wrote the cantata in Leipzig for...
, ?27 February 1729
Lent
During LentLent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
, the Sundays between Ash Wednesday and Easter, "quiet time" was observed in Leipzig. Only the feast of Annunciation was celebrated with a cantata, even if it fell in that time. On Good Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of...
, a Passion
Passions (Bach)
According to his obituary, Johann Sebastian Bach wrote "five passions, of which one is for double chorus". Two works have survived: the St John Passion and the St Matthew Passion , this last using double chorus...
was performed in Leipzig in a Vespers service.
Oculi
-
- Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54, 4 March 1714 (or for Trinity VII)
- Alles, was von Gott geboren, BWV 80a, 15 March 1716 (music lost)
Palm Sunday
- , everyone be in the spirit of Christ (or
- ), of the Last Supper
- , Entry into Jerusalem
- Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182Himmelskönig, sei willkommen , BWV 182, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Weimar for Palm Sunday, and first performed it on 25 March 1714.-History and words:...
, 25 March 1714
- Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182
Easter
The Easter seasonOctave of Easter
The term Octave of Easter may refer either to the eight day period from Easter Sunday until the Sunday following Easter, inclusive; or it may refer only to that Sunday after Easter, the Octave Day of Easter . That Sunday is also known historically as St...
comprises the time up to Pentecost, starting with three days of Easter.
Easter Sunday
- , Christ is our Easter lamb
- , ResurrectionResurrection of JesusThe Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus states that Jesus returned to bodily life on the third day following his death by crucifixion. It is a key element of Christian faith and theology and part of the Nicene Creed: "On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures"...
- Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4, probably 1707
- Der Himmel lacht! Die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31, 21 April 1715
Easter Monday
- , sermon of St. Peter
- , the road to EmmausEmmausEmmaus was an ancient town located approximately northwest of present day Jerusalem...
- Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, BWV 66, 10 April 1724
- Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, BWV 6, 2 April 1725
Easter Tuesday
- , sermon of St. Paul in Antiochia
- , the appearance of JesusResurrection appearances of JesusThe major Resurrection appearances of Jesus in the Canonical gospels are reported to have occurred after his death, burial and resurrection, but prior to his Ascension. Among these primary sources, most scholars believe First Corinthians was written first, authored by Paul of Tarsus along with...
to the ApostlesApostle (Christian)The term apostle is derived from Classical Greek ἀπόστολος , meaning one who is sent away, from στέλλω + από . The literal meaning in English is therefore an "emissary", from the Latin mitto + ex...
in Jerusalem- Der Friede sei mit dir, BWV 158, after 1723
- Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß, BWV 134Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß, BWV 134Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß , BWV 134, is a church cantata for Easter by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata for the Third Day of Easter in Leipzig and first performed it on 11 April 1724...
, 11 April 1724 - Ich lebe, mein Herze, zu deinem Ergötzen, BWV 145, ?1729
Easter I
The Sundays between Easter and Pentecost have Latin names, derived from the beginning of the prescribed readings. The first Sunday after Easter is called Quasimodogeniti.- , our faith is the victory
- , the appearance of JesusResurrection appearances of JesusThe major Resurrection appearances of Jesus in the Canonical gospels are reported to have occurred after his death, burial and resurrection, but prior to his Ascension. Among these primary sources, most scholars believe First Corinthians was written first, authored by Paul of Tarsus along with...
to the DiscipleDisciple (Christianity)In Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. While Jesus attracted a large following, the term disciple is commonly used to refer specifically to "the Twelve", an inner circle of men whose number perhaps represented the twelve tribes of Israel...
s, first without then with ThomasThomas the ApostleThomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas or Didymus was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is best known for questioning Jesus' resurrection when first told of it, then proclaiming "My Lord and my God" on seeing Jesus in . He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman...
, in Jerusalem- Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ, BWV 67, 16 April 1724
- Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42, 8 April 1725
Easter II
The second Sunday after Easter is called Misericordias Domini.- , Christ as a model
- , the Good ShepherdGood ShepherdGood Shepherd may refer to:In Christianity:* The Good Shepherd , pericope found in John 10:1-21, and a popular image in which the Good Shepherd represents Jesus...
- Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104Du Hirte Israel, höre , BWV 104, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata for the second Sunday after Easter in Leipzig and first performed it on 23 April 1724.-History and words:...
, 23 April 1724 - Ich bin ein guter Hirt, BWV 85, 15 April 1725
- Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt, BWV 112, 8 April 1731
- Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104
Easter III
The third Sunday after Easter is called Jubilate.- , Farewell discourseFarewell discourseIn the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
, announcement of the Second Coming- Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12, 22 April 1714
- Ihr werdet weinen und heulen, BWV 103, 22 April 1725
- Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal, BWV 146, ?12 May 1726 or ?18 April 1728
Easter IV
The forth Sunday after Easter is called Cantate.- , Farewell discourseFarewell discourseIn the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
, announcement of Comforter- Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166Wo gehest du hin? , BWV 166, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for Cantate, the fourth Sunday after Easter, and first performed it on 7 May 1724....
, 7 May 1724 - Es ist euch gut, daß ich hingehe, BWV 108, 29 April 1725
- Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166
Easter V
The fifth Sunday after Easter is called Rogate.- , doers of the word, not only listeners
- , Farewell discourseFarewell discourseIn the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
, prayers will be fulfilled- Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch , BWV 86, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for Rogate, the fifth Sunday after Easter, and first performed it on 14 May 1724.-History and words:...
, 14 May 1724 - Bisher habt ihr nichts gebeten, BWV 87, 6 May 1725
- Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch, BWV 86
Ascension
- , farewell and Ascension
- , Ascension
- Wer da gläubet und getauft wird, BWV 37, 18 May 1724
- Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein, BWV 128Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein, BWV 128Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein , BWV 128, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Feast of the Ascension and first performed it on 10 May 1725.-History and words:...
, 10 May 1725 - Gott fähret auf mit Jauchzen, BWV 43, 30 May 1726
- Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen, BWV 11, 19 May 1735
Ascension I
The Sunday after Ascension is called Exaudi.- , serve each other
- , Farewell discourseFarewell discourseIn the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
, announcement of the Spirit of Truth and persecution- Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 44, 21 May 1724
- Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV 183Sie werden euch in den Bann tun , BWV 183, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for Exaudi, the Sunday after Ascension, and first performed it on 13 May 1725....
, 13 May 1725
Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday (1. Pfingsttag) is also called Whit Sunday.- the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit (Christianity)For the majority of Christians, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and is Almighty God...
- , Farewell discourseFarewell discourseIn the New Testament, Chapters 14-17 of the Gospel of John are known as the Farewell Discourse given by Jesus to eleven of his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before his crucifixion....
, announcement of the Spirit who will teach- Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! , BWV 172, is a church cantata of Johann Sebastian Bach, written for Pentecost Sunday in Weimar, first performed there in the Schlosskirche on 20 May 1714.- History :In Weimar, Bach was the court organist of Johann Ernst von Sachsen-Weimar...
, 20 May 1714 - Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten, BWV 59Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten, BWV 59Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten , BWV 59, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata for Pentecost and probably first performed it in Leipzig on 28 May 1724, but an earlier performance on 16 May 1723 at the University Church of Leipzig is possible.-History...
, 28 May 1724 - Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten, BWV 74, 20 May 1725
- O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe, BWV 34, c 1746–1747
- Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! BWV 172
Pentecost Monday
Pentecost Monday (2. Pfingsttag) is also called Whit Monday.- , sermon of St. Peter for Cornelius
- , God loved the world so much ...
- Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut, BWV 173Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut, BWV 173Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut , BWV 173, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Second Day of Pentecost and probably first performed it on 29 May 1724.-History and words:...
, ?29 May 1724 - Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, BWV 68, 21 May 1725
- Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte, BWV 174, 6 June 1729
- Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut, BWV 173
Pentecost Tuesday
Pentecost Tuesday (3. Pfingsttag) is also called Whit Tuesday.- , the Holy Spirit in Samaria
- , the Good ShepherdGood ShepherdGood Shepherd may refer to:In Christianity:* The Good Shepherd , pericope found in John 10:1-21, and a popular image in which the Good Shepherd represents Jesus...
- Erwünschtes Freudenlicht, BWV 184, 30 May 1724
- Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen, BWV 175Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen, BWV 175Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen , BWV 175, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Third Day of Pentecost and first performed it on 22 May 1725.-History and words:...
, 22 May 1725
Trinity
On Trinity SundayTrinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity...
, the Sunday after Pentecost, the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
is celebrated.
- , depth of wisdom
- , the meeting of Jesus and NicodemusNicodemusSaint Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, who, according to the Gospel of John, showed favour to Jesus...
- O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad, BWV 165, 16 June 1715?
- Es ist ein trotzig, und verzagt Ding, BWV 176, 27 May 1725
- Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott, BWV 129Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott, BWV 129Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott , BWV 129, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for Trinity Sunday and possibly first performed it on 16 June 1726. It is a general praise of the Trinity, without a reference to a specific gospel reading...
, 16 June 1726?, also for Reformation Day
Sundays after Trinity
A variable number of Sundays occurs between Trinity and The first Sunday in Advent, a maximum of 27, if Easter is extremely early.Trinity I
- , God is Love
- , the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus
- Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75Die Elenden sollen essen , BWV 75, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata for the first Sunday after Trinity and first performed it in Leipzig on 30 May 1723...
, 30 May 1723 - O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20, 11 June 1724
- Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39, 23 June 1726
- Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
Trinity II
- , Whoever doesn't love, remains in Death
- , parable of the great banquet
- Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, BWV 76Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, BWV 76Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes , BWV 76, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was composed in Leipzig for the second Sunday after Trinity and first performed by the composer on 6 June 1723...
, 6 June 1723 - Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein, BWV 2, 18 June 1724
- Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, BWV 76
Trinity III
- , Cast thy burden upon the Lord
- , parable of the Lost SheepParable of the Lost SheepThe Parable of the Lost Sheep is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in two of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament, as well as in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas....
and parable of the Lost CoinParable of the Lost CoinThe Parable of the Lost Coin is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to Luke , a woman searches for a lost coin...
- Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis, BWV 21, 17 June 1714
- Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BWV 135Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BWV 135Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder , BWV 135, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the third Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 25 June 1724.-History and words:...
, 25 June 1724
Trinity IV
- , "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."
- , Sermon on the MountSermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
: be merciful, judge not- Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe , BWV 185, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Weimar for the fourth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 14 July 1715.-History and words:...
, 14 July 1715 - Ein ungefärbt Gemüte, BWV 24, 20 June 1723
- Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 177Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 177Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ , BWV 177, is a church cantata of Johann Sebastian Bach He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the fourth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 6 July 1732....
, 6 July 1732
- Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe, BWV 185
Trinity V
- "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts"
- , Peter's great catch of fish
- Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 93Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 93Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten , BWV 93, is a cantata of Johann Sebastian Bach, written in Leipzig for the fifth Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 9 July 1724.-History:...
, 9 July 1724 - Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden, BWV 88Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden, BWV 88Siehe, ich will viel Fischer aussenden , BWV 88, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the fifth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 21 July 1726.-History and words:...
, 21 July 1726
- Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 93
Trinity VI
- , "By Christ's death we are dead for sin"
- , Sermon on the MountSermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
: better justice- Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170, 28 July 1726
- Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 9, c 1732–1735
Trinity VII
- , "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life"
- , The Feeding of the 4000
- Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54, 15 July 1714 (perhaps for Oculi)
- Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht, BWV 186Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht, BWV 186Ärgre dich, o Seele, nicht , BWV 186, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was written originally in Weimar in 1716 for Advent, BWV 186a, and expanded in 1723 in Leipzig for the seventh Sunday after Trinity, where it was first performed on 11 July 1723.-Weimar:The cantata is based on a...
, 11 July 1723 (adapted from BWV 186a for Advent III) - Was willst du dich betrüben, BWV 107Was willst du dich betrüben, BWV 107Was willst du dich betrüben , BWV 107, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the seventh Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 23 July 1724...
, 23 July 1724 - Es wartet alles auf dich, BWV 187Es wartet alles auf dich, BWV 187Es wartet alles auf dich , BWV 187, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1726 in Leipzig for the seventh Sunday after Trinity...
, 4 August 1726
Trinity VIII
- , "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God"
- , Sermon on the MountSermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
: warning of false prophets- Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz , BWV 136, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1723 in Leipzig for the eighth Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 18 July 1723....
, 18 June 1723 - Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält, BWV 178, 30 July 1724
- Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist , BWV 45, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the eighth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 11 August 1726....
, 11 August 1726
- Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136
Trinity IX
- , warning of false gods, consolation in temptation
- , parable of the Unjust Steward
- Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht, BWV 105, 25 July 1723
- Was frag ich nach der Welt, BWV 94Was frag ich nach der Welt, BWV 94Was frag ich nach der Welt , BWV 94, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it Leipzig for the ninth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 6 August 1724.-History and words:...
, 6 August 1724 - Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort, BWV 168Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort, BWV 168Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort , BWV 168, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the ninth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 29 July 1725.-History and words:...
, 29 July 1725
Trinity X
- , different gifts, but one spirit
- , Jesus announces the destruction of Jerusalem, Cleansing of the Temple
- Schauet doch und sehet, ob irgend ein Schmerz sei, BWV 46Schauet doch und sehet, ob irgend ein Schmerz sei, BWV 46Schauet doch und sehet, ob irgend ein Schmerz sei , BWV 46, is a church cantata of Johann Sebastian Bach, written for the 10th Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 1 August 1723 in Bach's first year in Leipzig....
, 1 August 1723 - Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott , BWV 101, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the tenth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 13 August 1724....
, 13 August 1724 - Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben, BWV 102Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben, BWV 102Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben , BWV 102, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1726 in Leipzig for the tenth Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 25 August 1726.-History and text:...
, 25 August 1726
- Schauet doch und sehet, ob irgend ein Schmerz sei, BWV 46
Trinity XI
- , on the gospel of Christ and his (Paul's) duty as an apostle
- , parable of the Pharisee and the Tax CollectorPharisee and the PublicanThe parable of the Pharisee and the Publican , is a parable of Jesus that appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to , a Pharisee, obsessed by his own virtue, is contrasted with a tax collector who humbly asks God for mercy.This parable demonstrates the need to...
- Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199, 12 August 1714
- Siehe zu, daß deine Gottesfurcht nicht Heuchelei sei, BWV 179Siehe zu, daß deine Gottesfurcht nicht Heuchelei sei, BWV 179Siehe zu, daß deine Gottesfurcht nicht Heuchelei sei , BWV 179, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1723 in Leipzig for the eleventh Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 8 August 1723.-History and words:Bach wrote the cantata in his first year in Leipzig, which he had...
, 8 August 1723 - Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut, BWV 113Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut, BWV 113Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut , BWV 113, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the eleventh Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 20 August 1724....
, 20 August 1724
Trinity XII
- , the ministration of the Spirit
- , the healing of a deaf mute man
- Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele, BWV 69aLobe den Herrn, meine Seele, BWV 69aLobe den Herrn, meine Seele , BWV 69a, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1723 in Leipzig for the twelfth Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 15 August 1723...
, 15 August 1723 - Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, BWV 137Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren , BWV 137, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the twelfth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 19 August 1725.-History and words:Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for Twelfth Sunday...
, 19 August 1725 - Geist und Seele wird verwirret, BWV 35, 8 September 1726
- Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele, BWV 69a
Trinity XIII
- , law and promise
- , parable of the Good SamaritanParable of the Good SamaritanThe parable of the Good Samaritan is a parable told by Jesus and is mentioned in only one of the Canonical gospels. According to the Gospel of Luke a traveller is beaten, robbed, and left half dead along the road. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a...
- Du sollt Gott, deinen Herren, lieben, BWV 77Du sollt Gott, deinen Herren, lieben, BWV 77Du sollt Gott, deinen Herren, lieben , BWV 77, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the thirteenth Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 22 August 1723.-History and words:...
, 22 August 1723 - Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 33, 3 September 1724
- Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet, BWV 164Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet, BWV 164Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet , BWV 164, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.He composed it in 1725 in Leipzig for the 13th Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 26 August 1725....
, 26 August 1725
- Du sollt Gott, deinen Herren, lieben, BWV 77
Trinity XIV
- , works of the flesh, fruit of the Spirit
- , Cleansing ten lepersCleansing ten lepersChrist cleansing ten lepers is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels .According to the Gospel, on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him...
- Es ist nichts Gesundes an meinem Leibe, BWV 25, 29 August 1723
- Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78, 10 September 1724
- Wer Dank opfert, der preiset mich, BWV 17, 22 September 1726
Trinity XV
- , admonition to "walk in the Spirit"
- , Sermon on the MountSermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
: don't worry about material needs, but seek God's kingdom first- Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz, BWV 138Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz, BWV 138Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz , BWV 138, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1723 in Leipzig for the 15th Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 5 September 1723...
, 5 September 1723 - Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 99Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 99Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan , BWV 99, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the 15th Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 17 September 1724....
, 17 September 1724 - Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51, 17 September 1730
- Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz, BWV 138
Trinity XVI
- , Paul praying for the strengthening of faith in the congregation of EphesusEphesusEphesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era...
- , Raising of the Young man from Nain
- Komm, du süße Todesstunde, BWV 161Komm, du süße Todesstunde, BWV 161Komm, du süße Todesstunde , BWV 161, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1715 in Weimar for the 16th Sunday after Trinity.-History and words:...
, 6 October 1715 - Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 95Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 95Christus, der ist mein Leben , BWV 95, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the 16th Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 12 September 1723.-History and words:...
, 12 September 1723 - Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben? BWV 8, 24 September 1724
- Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende? BWV 27, 6 October 1726
- Komm, du süße Todesstunde, BWV 161
Trinity XVII
- , admonition to keep the unity of the Spirit
- , Healing a man with dropsyHealing a man with dropsyHealing a man with dropsy is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels .According to the Gospel one Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, and he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy, i.e. abnormal swelling of his body.Jesus...
on the Sabbath- Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens, BWV 148Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens, BWV 148Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens , BWV 148, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach probably in 1723 in Leipzig for the 17th Sunday after Trinity.-History and words:...
, ?19 September 1723 - Ach, lieben Christen, seid getrost, BWV 114, 1 October 1724
- Wer sich selbst erhöhet, der soll erniedriget werden, BWV 47Wer sich selbst erhöhet, der soll erniedriget werden, BWV 47Wer sich selbst erhöhet, der soll erniedriget werden , BWV 47, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach...
, 13 October 1726
- Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens, BWV 148
Trinity XVIII
- , Paul's thanks for grace of God in Ephesus
- , the Great CommandmentGreat CommandmentThe Great Commandment, or Greatest Commandment, is an appellation applied to either the first, or both, of two commandments which appear in , and...
- Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV 96Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV 96Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn , BWV 96, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1724 in Leipzig for the 18th Sunday after Trinity.-History and text:...
, 8 October 1724 - Gott soll allein mein Herze haben, BWV 169, 20 October 1726
- Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV 96
Trinity XIX
- , "put on the new man, which after God is created"
- , Healing the paralytic at CapernaumHealing the paralytic at CapernaumHealing the paralytic at Capernaum is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels in Matthew , Mark and Luke .According to the Gospels, when Jesus entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door,...
- Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen, BWV 48Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen, BWV 48Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen , BWV 48, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1723 in Leipzig for the 19th Sunday after Trinity.-History and words:...
, 3 October 1723 - Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 5, 15 October 1724
- Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56, 27 October 1726
- Ich elender Mensch, wer wird mich erlösen, BWV 48
Trinity XX
- , "walk circumspectly, ... filled with the Spirit"
- , parable of the great banquet
- Ach! ich sehe, itzt, da ich zur Hochzeit gehe, BWV 162Ach! ich sehe, itzt, da ich zur Hochzeit gehe, BWV 162Ach! ich sehe, itzt, da ich zur Hochzeit gehe , BWV 162, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in Weimar for the 20th Sunday after Trinity.-History and words:...
, 3 November 1715 or 25 October 1716 - Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 180Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 180Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele , BWV 180, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the 20th Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 22 October 1724...
, 22 October 1724 - Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen, BWV 49Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen, BWV 49Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen , BWV 49, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the 20th Sunday after Trinity Sunday and first performed it 3 November 1726....
, 3 November 1726
- Ach! ich sehe, itzt, da ich zur Hochzeit gehe, BWV 162
Trinity XXI
- , "take unto you the whole armour of God"
- , healing the nobleman's son
- Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinem Unglauben, BWV 109Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinem Unglauben, BWV 109Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinem Unglauben , BWV 109, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig for the 21st Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 17 October 1723.-History and words:...
, 17 October 1723 - Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 38, 29 October 1724
- Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 98Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 98Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan , BWV 98, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the 21st Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 10 November 1726.-History and words:...
, 10 November 1726 - Ich habe meine Zuversicht, BWV 188, ?17 October 1728
- Ich glaube, lieber Herr, hilf meinem Unglauben, BWV 109
Trinity XXII
- , Thanks and prayer for the congregation in Philippi
- , parable of the unforgiving servant
- Was soll ich aus dir machen, Ephraim, BWV 89Was soll ich aus dir machen, Ephraim, BWV 89Was soll ich aus dir machen, Ephraim , BWV 89, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in Leipzig for the 22st Sunday after Trinity and first performed it on 24 October 1723.-History and words:...
, 24 October 1723 - Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit, BWV 115, 5 November 1724
- Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht, BWV 55Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht, BWV 55Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht , BWV 55, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig for the 22nd Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 17 November 1726.-History and words:...
, 17 November 1726
- Was soll ich aus dir machen, Ephraim, BWV 89
Trinity XXIII
- , "our conversation is in heaven"
- , the question about paying taxes, answered by Render unto Caesar...Render unto Caesar..."Render unto Caesar…" is the beginning of a phrase attributed to Jesus in the synoptic gospels, which reads in full, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" ....
- Nur jedem das Seine, BWV 163, 24 November 1715
- Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott, BWV 139, 12 November 1724
- Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht, BWV 52Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht, BWV 52Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht , BWV 52, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig for the 23nd Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 24 November 1726.-History and words:...
, 24 November 1726
Trinity XXIV
- , prayer for the Colossians
- , the story of Jairus' daughter
- O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort , BWV 60, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig for the 24th Sunday after Trinity, first performed on 7 November 1723.-History and words:...
, 7 November 1723 - Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig, BWV 26, 19 November 1724
- O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60
Trinity XXV
- , the coming of the Lord
- , the TribulationTribulationThe Great Tribulation refers to tumultuous events that are described during the "signs of the times", first mentioned by Jesus in the Olivet discourse...
- Es reißet euch ein schrecklich Ende, BWV 90, 14 November 1723
- Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 116Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 116Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ , BWV 116, is a church cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1724 in Leipzig for the 25th Sunday after Trinity.-History and text:...
, 26 November 1724
Trinity XXVI
- , look for new heavens and a new earth
- , the Second Coming of Christ
- Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! is the title of two church cantatas written by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed a first version, BWV 70a, in Weimar for the second Sunday in Advent of 1716 and expanded it in 1723 in Leipzig to BWV 70, a cantata in two parts for the 26th Sunday after...
, 21 November 1723 (adapted from Advent II)
- Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70
Trinity XXVII
- , be prepared for the day of the Lord
- , parable of the Ten VirginsParable of the Ten VirginsThe Parable of the Ten Virgins, also known as the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, is one of the well known parables of Jesus. It appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament...
- Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, 25 November 1731
Purification
The Purification of Mary (Mariae Reinigung) and the Presentation of Jesus at the TemplePresentation of Jesus at the Temple
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, which falls on 2 February, celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and some Eastern Catholic Churches, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is sometimes called Hypapante...
are celebrated on 2 February.
- , the Lord will come to his temple
- , the purification of Mary and and the presentation of Jesus in the temple, including Simeon's canticleCanticleA canticle is a hymn taken from the Bible. The term is often expanded to include ancient non-biblical hymns such as the Te Deum and certain psalms used liturgically.-Roman Catholic Church:From the Old Testament, the Roman Breviary takes seven canticles for use at Lauds, as follows:*...
Nunc dimittisNunc dimittisThe Nunc dimittis is a canticle from a text in the second chapter of Luke named after its first words in Latin, meaning 'Now dismiss...'....
- Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde, BWV 83Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde, BWV 83Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde , BWV 83, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote it in 1724 in Leipzig for the feast Mariae Reinigung and first performed it on 2 February 1724....
, 2 February 1724 - Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, BWV 125, 2 February 1725
- Ich habe genug, BWV 82, 2 February 1727
- Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde, BWV 83
Annunciation
The AnnunciationAnnunciation
The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her...
(Mariae Verkündigung) is celebrated on 25 March.
- , prophecy of the birth of the MessiahMessiahA messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
- , the angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus
- Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182Himmelskönig, sei willkommen , BWV 182, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Weimar for Palm Sunday, and first performed it on 25 March 1714.-History and words:...
, 25 March 1724 – first on Palm Sunday 25 March 1714 - Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, 25 March 1725
- Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182
St. John's Day
The day of John the BaptistJohn the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
(Johannis) is celebrated on 24 June.
- , the voice of a preacher in the desert
- , the birth of John the BaptistNativity of St. John the BaptistThe Nativity of St. John the Baptist is a Christian feast day celebrating the birth of John the Baptist, a prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah in the person of Jesus and who baptized Jesus.-Significance:Christians have long interpreted the life of John the Baptist as a preparation for...
and the BenedictusBenedictus (Song of Zechariah)The Benedictus , given in Gospel of , is one of the three canticles in the opening chapters of this Gospel. The Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his son, John the Baptist.The whole canticle naturally falls into two parts...
of ZechariahZechariah (priest)In the Bible, Zechariah , is the father of John the Baptist, a priest of the sons of Aaron, a prophet in , and the husband of Elisabeth who is the cousin of Mary the mother of Jesus.In the Qur'an, Zechariah plays a similar role as the father of John the Baptist and ranks him as a prophet alongside...
- Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe, BWV 167Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe, BWV 167Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe , BWV 167, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the cantata in Leipzig for the Feast of St. John the Baptist and first performed it on 24 June 1723.-History and words:Bach composed the cantata in his first year in Leipzig for St...
, 24 June 1723 - Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam, BWV 7, 24 June 1724
- Freue dich, erlöste Schar, BWV 30, 24 June 1738 or later
- Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe, BWV 167
Visitation
Visitation, the visit of MaryMary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
with Elizabeth, including her song of praise, the Magnificat
Magnificat
The Magnificat — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn...
, is celebrated on 2 July.
- , prophecy of the MessiahMessiahA messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
- , Visitation
- Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147, 2 July 1723 (adapted from BWV 147a for Advent IV)
- Meine Seel erhebt den Herren, BWV 10, 2 July 1724
St. Michael's Day
St. MichaelMichael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
's Day (Michaelis) is celebrated on 29 September.
- , fight of Michael with the dragon
- , heaven belongs to the children, the angels see the face of God
- Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir, BWV 130, 29 September 1724
- Es erhub sich ein Streit, BWV 19, 29 September 1726
- Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg, BWV 149, ?29 September 1728 or ?1729
- Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft, BWV 50, year unknown (movement of incomplete or lost cantata)
Reformation Day
Reformation DayReformation Day
Reformation Day is a religious holiday celebrated on October 31 in remembrance of the Reformation, particularly by Lutheran and some Reformed church communities...
is celebrated on 31 October.
- , be steadfast against adversaries
- , fear God and honour him
- Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79Johann Sebastian Bach's cantata Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild , BWV 79, was composed in 1725 for Reformation Sunday. The text is by Martin Rinkart and Ludwig Helmbold.-Instrumentation:...
, 31 October 1725 - Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80, 1727–31
- Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott, BWV 129Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott, BWV 129Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott , BWV 129, is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for Trinity Sunday and possibly first performed it on 16 June 1726. It is a general praise of the Trinity, without a reference to a specific gospel reading...
, originally 16 June 1726?, Trinity Sunday
- Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild, BWV 79
Consecration of church and organ
- , the new Jerusalem
- , conversion of ZacchaeusZacchaeusZacchaeus , according to chapter 19 of the gospel of Luke, was a superintendent of customs; a chief tax-gatherer at Jericho...
- Höchsterwünschtes Freudenfest, BWV 194, 2 November 1723 (consecration of Störmthal church and organ, adapted from BWV 194a, also Trinity SundayTrinity SundayTrinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity...
)
- Höchsterwünschtes Freudenfest, BWV 194, 2 November 1723 (consecration of Störmthal church and organ, adapted from BWV 194a, also Trinity Sunday
Ratswechsel
The Inauguration of a town council was celebrated with a service. In Leipzig this was held at the Nikolaikirche on the Monday or Friday following Bartholomew (Bartholomäus), 24 August.- Gott ist mein König, BWV 71, 4 February 1708 (inauguration of MühlhausenMühlhausenMühlhausen is a city in the federal state of Thuringia, Germany. It is the capital of the Unstrut-Hainich district, and lies along the river Unstrut. Mühlhausen had c. 37,000 inhabitants in 2006.-History:...
town council) - Preise, Jerusalem, den Herrn, BWV 119Preise, Jerusalem, den Herrn, BWV 119Preise, Jerusalem, den Herrn is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was composed during his first year as cantor to the Thomaskirche in Leipzig for the festivities surrounding the change of councils or Ratswechsel on 30 August 1723 - as at Mühlhausen, one of the cantor's duties was to write...
, 30 August 1723 (inauguration of LeipzigLeipzigLeipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
town council) - Ihr Tore zu Zion, BWV 193, 25 August 1727
- Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille, BWV 120Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille, BWV 120Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille , BWV 120, is a sacred cantata written by the German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach for the occasion of Ratswahl, the inauguration of a new town council of Leipzig in a church service...
, ?29 August 1729 - Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir, BWV 29, 27 August 1731
- Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele, BWV 69, 1742–48 (adapted from BWV 69a)
Wedding
- Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 196, ?1707–08
- O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe, BWV 34a, 1726 (partly lost, probably for a wedding)
- Dem Gerechten muss das Licht, BWV 195, 1727–31?
- Herr Gott, Beherrscher aller Dinge, BWV 120a, ?1729 (adapted from BWV 120, partly lost)
- Gott ist unsre Zuversicht, BWV 197, 1736/37 (partly based on 197a)
Funeral
- Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106 (Actus tragicus), ?1707–08 (funeral)
- Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn, BWV 157, 6 February 1727 (funeral)
- Laß, Fürstin, laß noch einen Strahl, BWV 198, 17 October 1727 (funeral)
- Klagt, Kinder, klagt es aller Welt, BWV 244aKlagt, Kinder, klagt es aller Welt, BWV 244aThe funeral cantata Klagt, Kinder, klagt es aller Welt, BWV 244a, also called Köthener Trauermusik, is a lost composition of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Trauermusik was composed for the memorial service for Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen on 24 March 1729 in the St. Jakob church in Köthen, one day...
, 24 March 1729 (music lost, funeral of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen) - O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht, BWV 118, ca. 1736/1737 (funeral procession)
Different occasions
- Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, BWV 150, ?before 1707 (Bußgottesdienst [Confession Service])
- Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131, 1707 (Bußgottesdienst [Confession service])
- Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut, BWV 117, c. 1728–1731 (use unknown)
- Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille, BWV 120b, 26 June 1730 (second day of 200th anniversary of Augsburg ConfessionAugsburg ConfessionThe Augsburg Confession, also known as the "Augustana" from its Latin name, Confessio Augustana, is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran reformation...
) - Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 192, Autumn 1730 (partly lost, Reformation Day or wedding)
- Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 100, c. 1732–1735 (use unknown)
- In allen meinen Taten, BWV 97, 25 July 1734 (5th Sunday after Trinity)
- Bekennen will ich seinen Namen, BWV 200, c. 1742 (fragment of lost cantata, possibly for Epiphany or Purification, arrangement of the Aria "Dein Kreuz, o Bräutgam meiner Seele" from the Passion Oratorio "Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld" of Gottfried Heinrich StölzelGottfried Heinrich StölzelGottfried Heinrich Stölzel was a prolific German composer.-Biography:Stölzel grew up in Schwarzenberg, Saxony in the Erzgebirge. From 1707 he was a student of theology in Leipzig, and of Melchior Hofmann, the musical director of the Neukirche. He studied, worked and composed in Breslau and Halle...
by Johann Sebastian Bach (Source: BJ 2008, p. 123, Peter Wollny)) - Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden, BWV 1083Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden, BWV 1083Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden, BWV 1083, is a cantata written by the composer Johann Sebastian Bach.-Instrumentation:The instruments required for this piece are soprano, alto, concertante violins, ripieno violins, viola, and basso continuo.-Origin:...
, c. 1745–1747 (Bußgottesdienst [Confession service])
Sources
- Alfred DürrAlfred DürrAlfred Dürr was a German musicologist. He was a principal editor of the Neue Bach-Ausgabe, the second edition of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach.- Professional career :...
: Johann Sebastian Bach: Die Kantaten. Bärenreiter, Kassel 1999, ISBN 3-7618-1476-3 (in German) - Alfred Dürr: The Cantatas of J.S. Bach, Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-19-929776-2
- Christoph WolffChristoph WolffChristoph Wolff is a German-born musicologist, presently on the faculty of Harvard University. Born and educated in Germany, Wolff studied organ and historical keyboard instruments, musicology and art history at the Universities of Berlin, Erlangen, and the Music Academy of Freiburg, receiving a...
/Ton KoopmanTon KoopmanTon Koopman is a conductor, organist and harpsichordist.Koopman had a "classical education" and then studied the organ , harpsichord and musicology in Amsterdam...
: Die Welt der Bach-Kantaten Verlag J.B. Metzler, Stuttgart, Weimar 2006 ISBN 978-3-476-02127-4 (in German) - Werner NeumannWerner NeumannWerner Neumann was a German musicologist. He founded the Bach-Archiv Leipzig on 20 November 1950 and was a principal editor of the Neue Bach-Ausgabe, the second edition of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach.- Professional career :Neumann studied at the Conservatory of Leipzig from 1928 to...
: Handbuch der Kantaten J.S.Bachs, 1947, 5th ed. 1984, ISBN 3-7651-0054-4 - Hans-Joachim Schulze: Die Bach-Kantaten: Einführungen zu sämtlichen Kantaten Johann Sebastian Bachs (in German)