1. J.S. Bach and the Lutheran Cantata

2. Objectives German cantata: relation to Italian cantata
Creating a cantata text
Bach’s Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland

3. Bach in Leipzig (1723-1750) Cantor at St. Thomas demotion
from court composer (Cöthen) to Church musician/school teacher
needs to compose cantatas/service music

4. The Lutheran Cantata similarities with Italian Cantata
operatic music
recitative
aria
not (really) characters/staging
compare to NAWM 92: Alessandro Scarlatti, Clori vezzosa, e bella
differences with Italian Cantata
Lutheran chorale tune
sacred styles (compare to Carissimi’s oratorios)
choral music

5. Creating a text
see handout on web page

6. Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, NAWM 103
I. Chorus: Nun komm. . . (verse 1)
ritornello form
orchestration
cantus firmus
paraphrase
Synthesis: concerto, cantus firmus, da capo
II. Aria: Bewundert, O Menschen (vv. 2-3)
rit. form
minuet
da capo
piano/forte

7. Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
III. Recit: “So geht aus Gottes” (vv. 4-5)
harmony V/D
“running”(laufen)
IV. Aria: “Streite, siege, starker Held!” (v.6)
rit./da capo
military affect

8. Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
V. Accomp. Recit: “Wir ehren diese”(v. 7)
harmonic transition: V/D to b
“halo” music
VI. Chorale: Lob sei Gott (v. 8)
tune in soprano
colla parte