Hymn Desk

Bach Cantatas

58 cantatas · Bach's church cantatas, grouped by the Sunday or feast they were composed for, with their chorale tunes and lectionary connections.

First Sunday of Advent

BWV 36 Schwingt freudig euch empor "Soar joyfully upward"
1731 ·SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra
Chorale tune: NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND
Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 (Advent 1A)
Originally a secular cantata, reworked for Advent. Uses Luther's Advent chorale.
BWV 61 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland "Now come, Savior of the Gentiles"
1714 ·SATB soloists, chorus, strings
Chorale tune: NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND
Readings: Revelation 3:20; Matthew 21:1-9
First Advent cantata Bach composed at Weimar. Opens with a French overture.
BWV 62 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland "Now come, Savior of the Gentiles"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra
Chorale tune: NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND
Readings: Matthew 21:1-9 (Advent 1)
Leipzig chorale cantata. Uses the same chorale as BWV 61 but in a different form.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

BWV 132 Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn "Prepare the way, prepare the path"
1715 ·SATB soloists, no chorus, strings
Chorale tune: None
Readings: Isaiah 40:3; John 1:19-28
Text based on Isaiah 40. No opening chorus; all recitatives and arias.
BWV 147 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben "Heart and mouth and deed and life"
1723 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpet, orchestra
Chorale tune: JESU JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING (WOHL MIR DASS ICH JESUM HABE)
Readings: Luke 1:39-45 (Advent 4C - Visitation)
Final chorale of each part is 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' (BWV 147/10).

Christmas Day

BWV 110 Unser Mund sei voll Lachens "Let our mouth be filled with laughter"
1725 ·SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra
Chorale tune: JESU JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING (WACHET AUF)
Readings: Psalm 126:2 (Christmas)
Elaborate parody cantata with festive orchestration. Bass aria quotes 'Jesu, Joy.'
BWV 91 Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ "Praise be to you, Jesus Christ"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, brass, orchestra
Chorale tune: GELOBET SEIST DU JESU CHRIST
Readings: Luke 2:1-14 (Christmas Day)
Chorale cantata based on Luther's Christmas hymn. Festive brass scoring.

Third Day of Christmas

BWV 151 Süsser Trost, mein Jesus kömmt "Sweet comfort, my Jesus comes"
1725 ·SATB soloists, chorus, flute, strings
Chorale tune: GELOBET SEIST DU JESU CHRIST
Readings: John 1:1-14 (Christmas 3)
Gentle, intimate character contrasting with the festive outer Christmas cantatas.

Christmas through Epiphany

BWV 248 Weihnachtsoratorium "Christmas Oratorio"
1734 ·SATB soloists, chorus, large orchestra
Chorale tune: Various chorales
Readings: Luke 2; Matthew 2
Six cantatas for the Christmas season. Contains 'How Shall I Fitly Meet Thee.'

Epiphany

BWV 123 Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen "Dearest Immanuel, duke of the righteous"
1725 ·SATB soloists, chorus, flutes, oboes d'amore
Chorale tune: LIEBSTER IMMANUEL
Readings: Matthew 2:1-12 (Epiphany)
Chorale cantata. Intimate character with beautiful flute writing.
BWV 65 Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen "They will all come from Sheba"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horns, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: WAS MEIN GOTT WILL
Readings: Isaiah 60:6; Matthew 2:1-12
Opening chorus based on Isaiah 60. Uses recorders (horns d'amour) for Oriental color.

Second Sunday after Epiphany

BWV 155 Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange "My God, how long, oh how long"
1716 ·SATB soloists, no chorus, bassoon, strings
Chorale tune: O JESU DU MEIN BRÄUTIGAM
Readings: John 2:1-11 (Epiphany 2C)
Intimate cantata of longing for God's help. Beautiful bassoon solo.

Purification / Presentation of Our Lord

BWV 82 Ich habe genug "I have enough"
1727 ·Bass, oboe, strings, continuo
Chorale tune: None specifically
Readings: Luke 2:22-32 (Presentation B - Nunc Dimittis)
Simeon's song. Bach's most celebrated bass cantata. Profound peace.

Septuagesima Sunday

BWV 84 Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke "I am content with my good fortune"
1727 ·Soprano, oboe, strings, continuo
Chorale tune: WAS GOTT TUT DAS IST WOHLGETAN
Readings: Matthew 20:1-16 (Proper 20A - vineyard workers)
Gentle soprano cantata of contentment in God's provision.

Quinquagesima

BWV 23 Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn "You true God and Son of David"
1723 ·SATB soloists, chorus, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: CHRISTE DU LAMM GOTTES
Readings: Matthew 20:29-34 (Lenten)
Second audition cantata. Agnus Dei setting in final chorale. Passion character.

Quinquagesima (before Lent)

BWV 22 Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe "Jesus took the twelve to him"
1723 ·SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra
Chorale tune: JESUM LASS ICH NICHT VON MIR
Readings: Luke 18:31-43 (audition cantata)
Audition cantata for Leipzig. Foretells the passion; ends with prayer of surrender.

Palm Sunday

BWV 182 Himmelskönig, sei willkommen "King of heaven, be welcome"
1714 ·SATB soloists, chorus, recorder, strings
Chorale tune: JESU DEINE PASSION
Readings: Matthew 21:1-9 (Palm Sunday)
First cantata composed at Weimar. Recorder used for pastoral effect.

Easter Sunday

BWV 31 Der Himmel lacht, die Erde jubilieret "Heaven laughs, the earth exults"
1715 ·SATB soloists, chorus, brass, orchestra
Chorale tune: SO FAHR ICH HIN ZU JESU CHRIST
Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Mark 16:1-8
Festive Easter cantata with elaborate sonata opening for brass and winds.
BWV 4 Christ lag in Todesbanden "Christ lay in death's bonds"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, brass, strings
Chorale tune: CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Mark 16:1-8
One of Bach's earliest surviving cantatas. Pure chorale cantata on Luther's Easter hymn. Remarkable in using no original text whatsoever.

Easter Monday

BWV 6 Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden "Stay with us for evening is coming"
1725 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horn, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: CHRIST IST ERSTANDEN
Readings: Luke 24:13-35 (Easter 3A - Emmaus)
Based on the Emmaus road story. Opening chorale fantasia is deeply moving.
BWV 66 Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen "Rejoice, you hearts"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpet, orchestra
Chorale tune: CHRIST IST ERSTANDEN
Readings: Luke 24:13-35 (Easter Monday)
Parody of a secular birthday cantata. Dialogue between Fear and Hope.

First Sunday after Easter

BWV 67 Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ "Keep in memory Jesus Christ"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horn, strings
Chorale tune: ERSCHIENEN IST DER HERRLICHE TAG
Readings: John 20:19-31 (Easter 2)
Opening chorus on the Easter acclamation. The risen Christ speaks Peace.

Third Sunday after Easter

BWV 12 Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen "Weeping, lamenting, sorrowing, trembling"
1714 ·SATB soloists, chorus, oboe, trumpet, strings
Chorale tune: JESU MEINE FREUDE
Readings: John 16:16-23 (Easter season)
Chromatic lament bass aria. Used again in B Minor Mass (Crucifixus).

Ascension

BWV 11 Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen "Praise God in his kingdoms (Ascension Oratorio)"
1735 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpet, drums, orchestra
Chorale tune: NUN LIEGET ALLES UNTER DIR
Readings: Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11
Known as the Ascension Oratorio. Six movements. Uses parody technique.
BWV 37 Wer da gläubet und getauft wird "Whoever believes and is baptized"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, oboe d'amore, strings
Chorale tune: WENN MEIN STÜNDLEIN VORHANDEN IST
Readings: Mark 16:14-20 (Ascension)
Faith and baptism as the conditions of salvation. Chorale cantata.

Pentecost

BWV 172 Erschallet, ihr Lieder "Ring out, you songs"
1714 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpets, strings
Chorale tune: KOMM HEILIGER GEIST HERRE GOTT
Readings: John 14:23-31 (Pentecost)
One of Bach's finest early cantatas. Opens with a brilliant trumpet fanfare.
BWV 34 O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe "O eternal fire, O source of love"
1727 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpets, orchestra
Chorale tune: KOMM HEILIGER GEIST HERRE GOTT
Readings: John 14:23 (Pentecost)
Parody cantata. Opening chorus is one of Bach's most festive.
BWV 59 Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten "Who loves me will keep my word"
1723 ·SA soloists, chorus, trumpet, strings
Chorale tune: KOMM HEILIGER GEIST
Readings: John 14:23-31 (Pentecost C)
Short two-movement cantata followed by two movements of another work.

Holy Trinity

BWV 165 O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad "O holy bath of Spirit and water"
1715 ·SATB soloists, no chorus, strings
Chorale tune: CHRISTUS DER IST MEIN LEBEN
Readings: John 3:1-17 (Trinity B)
Baptism cantata. Notable for the serpent continuo part.
BWV 176 Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding "It is a defiant and despairing thing"
1725 ·SAT soloists, chorus, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: NIMM VON UNS HERR DU TREUER GOTT
Readings: John 3:1-17 (Trinity B)
Final cantata of the Leipzig chorale cantata cycle.

First Sunday after Trinity

BWV 20 O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort "O eternity, thou thunderous word"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horn, orchestra
Chorale tune: O EWIGKEIT DU DONNERWORT
Readings: Luke 16:19-31 (Proper 21C - rich man and Lazarus)
Longest of the Leipzig cantatas. Powerful opening chorus on eternity.
BWV 75 Die Elenden sollen essen "The wretched shall eat"
1723 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpet, orchestra
Chorale tune: WAS GOTT TUT DAS IST WOHLGETAN
Readings: Luke 16:19-31 (Proper 21C)
Bach's first cantata at Leipzig. Two-part work of fourteen movements.

Second Sunday after Trinity

BWV 2 Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein "Ah God, look down from heaven"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trombones, strings
Chorale tune: ACH GOTT VOM HIMMEL SIEH DAREIN
Readings: Luke 14:16-24 (Proper 17C)
Chorale cantata in archaic motet style. Trombones double vocal parts.

St. John the Baptist / Baptism

BWV 7 Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam "Christ our Lord came to the Jordan"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, violins, continuo
Chorale tune: CHRIST UNSER HERR ZUM JORDAN KAM
Readings: Mark 1:4-11 (Baptism B)
Chorale cantata on Luther's baptism hymn. Remarkable bass aria about baptism.

Third Sunday after Trinity

BWV 21 Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis "I had much grief of heart"
1714 ·SATB soloists, chorus, oboe, trumpet, orchestra
Chorale tune: WERDE MUNTER MEIN GEMÜTE
Readings: John 16:22 (Pentecost season)
Early masterwork revised at Leipzig. Moves from lament to joyful praise.

Visitation of Mary

BWV 10 Meine Seel erhebt den Herren "My soul magnifies the Lord"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpet, strings
Chorale tune: MEINE SEELE ERHEBT DEN HERREN (MAGNIFICAT TONE)
Readings: Luke 1:46-55 (Magnificat)
German Magnificat paraphrase. Each stanza of the canticle set as a movement.

Fifth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 93 Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten "Who only lets the dear God rule"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT LÄSST WALTEN
Readings: Luke 5:1-11 (Proper 8C - miraculous catch)
Pure chorale cantata. One of the most complete in using the cantata chorale.

Sixth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 170 Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust "Contented rest, beloved soul-delight"
1726 ·Alto, oboe d'amore, strings, organ, continuo
Chorale tune: WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT LÄSST WALTEN
Readings: Matthew 5:20-26 (Proper 7A)
Alto solo cantata contrasting true spiritual peace with worldly clamor.

Ninth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 105 Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht "Lord, do not enter into judgment"
1723 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horn, flute, oboe, strings
Chorale tune: JESU DER DU MEINE SEELE
Readings: Luke 16:1-9 (Proper 18C - dishonest manager)
Profound Law-Gospel cantata. Opens with trembling bass recitative of fear.

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

BWV 199 Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut "My heart swims in blood"
1714 ·Soprano, oboe, strings, continuo
Chorale tune: WIE WOHL IST MIR O FREUND DER SEELEN
Readings: Luke 18:9-14 (Proper 25C - Pharisee and tax collector)
Soprano solo cantata of repentance and assurance of grace. Deeply moving.

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 78 Jesu, der du meine Seele "Jesus, you who have snatched my soul"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horn, flute, strings
Chorale tune: JESU DER DU MEINE SEELE
Readings: Luke 17:11-19 (Proper 23C - ten lepers)
One of Bach's greatest chorale cantatas. Extraordinary soprano-alto duet.

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 51 Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen "Shout for joy to God in all lands"
1730 ·Soprano, chorus (final only), trumpet, strings
Chorale tune: None
Readings: Luke 12:22-34 (Proper 14C)
Bach's most demanding soprano cantata. Brilliant trumpet writing.

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 27 Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende "Who knows how near my end may be"
1726 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horn, oboe, strings
Chorale tune: WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT LÄSST WALTEN
Readings: Luke 7:11-17 (Proper 5C)
Contemplation of death with trust in God. Alto aria with obbligato oboe.
BWV 8 Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben "Dearest God, when shall I die"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, flute, horn, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: LIEBSTER GOTT WENN WERD ICH STERBEN
Readings: Luke 7:11-17 (Proper 5C - widow's son at Nain)
Meditation on death and eternal life. Remarkable death-bell motif in flute and horn.

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 169 Gott soll allein mein Herze haben "God alone shall have my heart"
1726 ·Alto, chorus (final only), organ, strings
Chorale tune: NUN BITTEN WIR DEN HEILIGEN GEIST
Readings: Matthew 22:34-46 (Proper 25A - greatest commandment)
Alto solo cantata. Magnificent organ obbligato throughout.

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 56 Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen "I will gladly carry the cross-staff"
1726 ·Bass, chorus, oboe, strings, continuo
Chorale tune: JESU DEINE PASSION
Readings: Matthew 9:1-8; Ephesians 4:22-28
Bach's finest bass solo cantata. The Christian's journey toward eternal rest.

Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity

BWV 38 Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir "Out of deep need I cry to you"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trombones, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: AUS TIEFER NOT
Readings: John 4:46-54; Ephesians 6:10-17
Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 130. Six-voice motet opening. Deeply penitential.

Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity

BWV 115 Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit "Make ready, my spirit"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, flute, strings
Chorale tune: MACHE DICH MEIN GEIST BEREIT
Readings: Matthew 18:23-35 (Proper 19A - unforgiving servant)
Watchfulness cantata. Beautiful alto aria with flute obbligato.

Feast of St. Michael and All Angels

BWV 19 Es erhub sich ein Streit "There arose a strife"
1726 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpets, drums, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: FREU DICH SEHR O MEINE SEELE
Readings: Revelation 12:7-12 (Michaelmas)
Michaelmas cantata. Michael and his angels defeat Satan. Festive scoring.
BWV 50 Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft "Now is salvation and strength"
1723 ·SSATB chorus, 3 trumpets, drums, 2 oboes, strings
Readings: Revelation 12:10 (Michaelmas)
Massive double-chorus cantata (possibly two choruses). Only one movement survives.

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity

BWV 26 Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig "Ah how fleeting, ah how futile"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horn, flute, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: ACH WIE FLÜCHTIG ACH WIE NICHTIG
Readings: Matthew 9:18-26
Chorale cantata on the transience of life. Rapid sixteenth-note motif.
BWV 60 O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort "O eternity, thou thunderous word (Part 2)"
1723 ·Alto, tenor, chorus, horn, oboes, strings
Chorale tune: O EWIGKEIT DU DONNERWORT
Readings: Matthew 9:18-26 (Proper 5A)
Dialogue between Fear and Hope. Final chorale (Es ist genug) later used by Berg.

Reformation Day

BWV 79 Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild "God the Lord is sun and shield"
1725 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horns, orchestra
Chorale tune: NUN DANKET ALLE GOTT
Readings: Psalm 84:11-12; Romans 3:19-28 (Reformation)
Festive Reformation cantata. Final chorale uses 'Now Thank We All Our God.'
BWV 80 Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott "A mighty fortress is our God"
1724 ·SATB soloists, chorus, trumpet, drums, orchestra
Chorale tune: EIN FESTE BURG
Readings: Revelation 12:7-12; Romans 3:19-28 (Reformation)
Bach's grandest chorale cantata. The two outer movements by W.F. Bach added later.

Second-to-last Sunday after Trinity

BWV 70 Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! "Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!"
1723 ·SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra
Chorale tune: ES IST GEWISSLICH AN DER ZEIT
Readings: Luke 21:25-36 (Advent 1C)
Strong eschatological character; uses Reformation-era tune about Last Day.

Twenty-seventh Sunday after Trinity

BWV 140 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme "Wake up, calls to us the voice (Sleepers Wake)"
1731 ·SATB soloists, chorus, horns, orchestra
Chorale tune: WACHET AUF RUFT UNS DIE STIMME
Readings: Matthew 25:1-13 (Proper 27A)
One of Bach's most celebrated works. Chorale melody used in ELW 436.

Funeral

BWV 106 Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (Actus Tragicus) "God's time is the very best time"
1707 ·SATB soloists, chorus, two recorders, two viols, continuo
Chorale tune: SONATINA / IN DICH HAB ICH GEHOFFET HERR
Readings: Sirach 14:17; Psalm 90 (funeral / All Saints)
Bach's earliest surviving masterwork. Profound meditation on death and eternity.

Funeral / Penitential

BWV 131 Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir "Out of the depths I cry, Lord, to you"
1707 ·SATB soloists, chorus, oboe, bassoon, strings
Chorale tune: HERR JESU CHRIST DU HÖCHSTES GUT
Readings: Psalm 130 (funeral / Lent / Ash Wednesday)
One of Bach's earliest cantatas. Motet-like setting of Psalm 130 (De Profundis).