Cantata = literary 'to be sung'
Sacred (or secular) in several movements involving soloists, a choir and an orchestra.
Bach would have performed about 60 cantatas per year. Over 200 of Bach's sacred cantatas have survived.
BWV 172 Erschallet, ihr Lieder - (Resound now, ye lyrics, ring out now, ye lyres!) C Dur
- For Whit Sunday 1714 revised 1731
- Orchestra: strings, continuo, trumpets (no winds)
- Chorus
- Recit: bass (John 14:23)
- Aria: bass
- Aria: tenor
- Aria (duet): Soprano (soul) & alto (holy spirit)
- Chorale: Von Gott kömmt mir ein Freudenschein (hymn by Philipp Nicolai 1599)
- Chorus (as opening)