Structure of a Cantata
Cantata structure varies depending on the time when it was composed. However, all Cantatas contain within them a basic structure and rhythm.
1. Opening Chorus
2. Recitative
3. Aria
4. Recitative
5. Aria
6. Chorale
Again, some cantatas are much longer or shorter, and the structure varies within. For example, some cantatas begin with a Sinfonia, which is completely instrumental. And, sometimes the order of recitatives and arias vary as well.
Cantata Text
Each canata also contains text, always by a librettist, not written by Bach himself. Bach took Lutheran hymns and poetry for his libretto from others such as Erdmann Neumeister, Christian Friedrich Henrici, and Martin Luther. The hymns and the music are supposed to represent the Biblical text and feast day that is celebrated during the service.
The Cantata and The Church Service
Each cantata was generally performed between the Gospel reading and creedal hymn. It is important to note that in some cantatas all the movements were not performed all at once in a church service. So, a lay member in the service (who actually stayed in the service; often at that time people would come only for the sermon or the eucharist and then leave) would hear, for example, the opening chorus before the sermon and then the arias and recitatives during the celebration of the eucharist. So while we listen, it is important to understand the liturgical flow of a cantata in conjunction to the Lutheran service because this was how it was composed. Also, cantatas were composed to be reused. We have evidence of Bach actually performing one cantata four times in his lifetime. This is why they were organized in cycles according to the liturgical calendar. Understanding how a cantata operates and functions makes it easier to follow and also allows the cantata to reveal more of it's spiritual meaning.
What is a Chorus?
A Chorus is the opening movement in a cantata where the orchestra presents the themes or contrasting material first. The orchestra is of course under a choir which sings in standard vocal registers. Usually the choruses are polyphonic in structure.
What is an Aria?
An Aria is a formal composition for one voice. Bach's aria's contain a vocalist with a musical ensemble driving the rhythm and music. Like most arias, the libretto is often repeated many times to build whatever effect is desired by the composer.
What is a Recitative?
A recitative is an informal form of musical composition where a single person sings over an ensemble of instruments. However, the pulse of the piece is guided by the vocalist, unlike an aria where the vocalist is driven by the music. In a recitative, the libretto is written in the vernacular and is even sometimes spoken and not sung. The actual musical composition does not form a strict structure, for example, a recitative will not repeat melodic lines and will not develop an exposition or a theme. In a Bach cantata they are often slow and short, composed of the typical loose recitative structure.
What is a Chorale?
A Chorale, like the ones found in a Bach Cantata, are usually musical adaptations of standard Lutheran Hymns and of which the libretto is usually unmodified. These are all set to a choir of four voices. A Chorale almost always appears at the end of a Cantata.
What is a Sinfonia?
A Sinfonia is a purely instrumental introduction or prelude to a cantata. Not infrequently you will see a Sinfonia take the place of the chorus as the first movement.
Chorale Cantatas
A Chorale Cantata is a cantata which is solely based on a single hymn, both libretto and music. Usually, in the opening chorus and in the last chorale, the text remains unchanged based on the first and last stanza of the original hymn. In the opening chorus the main melody is showcased as a cantus firmus in the soprano part. However, the recitatives and the arias were paraphrased from the middle stanzas of the hymn. When the text of all stanzas of the hymn which is used is unmodified that is called per omnes versus.
Dialogue Cantatas
Dialogue Cantatas are cantatas that were composed as a dialogue between vocal parts. Most often Bach usually had the bass represent Jesus Christ and the soprano represent the soul. These, more specifically, are called Jesus-Soul Dialogue Cantatas.
Solo Cantatas
Solo Cantatas are simply a cantata which showcases one solo vocalist.
The Cycles
Bach composed four annual cycles of cantatas.
1. The first cycle was composed during his first year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig from the first Sunday after Trinity in 1723 to Trinity Sunday of the next year.
2. The second cycle, or the Chorale Cantata Cycle, began from the first Sunday after Trinity in 1724 until 1725, although it is an incomplete cycle. This cycle is also commonly called the Chorale Cantata Cycle as most cantatas in this cycle are chorale cantatas as decided by Bach.
3. The third cycle is not as rigid as the previous cycles. The cantatas which are assigned to this cycle were composed between Bach's third to fifth year in Leipzig (1725-28).
4. The fourth cycle, or the Picander Cycle was composed from 1728-29 while Bach was in Leipzig. This cycle is called the Picander Cycle because of Bach's relationship and collaboration with Christian Friedrich Henrici (also called Picander) who was a poet and satirist that wrote the libretto for a large amount of cantatas in this cycle. This cycle, and relationship between Bach and Picander is probably one of the most interesting subjects surrounding the Cantatas and I will write on it more. The reason for their intense collaboration is unknown despite their appeared difference in temperment: the serious and pius Bach and the satirical, cheerful, and vulgar Picander. Yet, Picander wrote and set deep spiritual poetry to Bach's music.
*All cantatas composed after the fourth cycle are called Late Church Cantatas (1729-50). It is speculated that Bach actually composed a full fifth cycle but sadly a lot of his compositions have been lost since. Most of these cantatas are church cantatas but some were composed for weddings, funerals and the 200th Anniversary of the Augsburg Confession.
_________________________________________________________________________
1. “Liturgy Parts.” Parts of the Liturgy - The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, www.lcms.org/worship/liturgy-parts#words-of-our-lord.
2. “Chorale Cantata Cycle.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorale_cantata_cycle.
3. “Picander Cycle of 1728–29.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Jan. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picander_cycle_of_1728%E2%80%9329.
4. Dialogue Cantatas - Discussions, www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/Dialogue-Cantatas.htm.
5. When Were the Cantatas Performed?, www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/When.htm.
6. “Bach Cantata.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Jan. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bach_cantata#First_cantata_cycle.
7. Christian Friderich Henrici (Picander) (Poet) - Short Biography, www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Picander.htm.
8. “Johann Sebastian Bach.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach#Leipzig_(1723%E2%80%931750).
Cantata structure varies depending on the time when it was composed. However, all Cantatas contain within them a basic structure and rhythm.
1. Opening Chorus
2. Recitative
3. Aria
4. Recitative
5. Aria
6. Chorale
Again, some cantatas are much longer or shorter, and the structure varies within. For example, some cantatas begin with a Sinfonia, which is completely instrumental. And, sometimes the order of recitatives and arias vary as well.
Cantata Text
Each canata also contains text, always by a librettist, not written by Bach himself. Bach took Lutheran hymns and poetry for his libretto from others such as Erdmann Neumeister, Christian Friedrich Henrici, and Martin Luther. The hymns and the music are supposed to represent the Biblical text and feast day that is celebrated during the service.
The Cantata and The Church Service
Each cantata was generally performed between the Gospel reading and creedal hymn. It is important to note that in some cantatas all the movements were not performed all at once in a church service. So, a lay member in the service (who actually stayed in the service; often at that time people would come only for the sermon or the eucharist and then leave) would hear, for example, the opening chorus before the sermon and then the arias and recitatives during the celebration of the eucharist. So while we listen, it is important to understand the liturgical flow of a cantata in conjunction to the Lutheran service because this was how it was composed. Also, cantatas were composed to be reused. We have evidence of Bach actually performing one cantata four times in his lifetime. This is why they were organized in cycles according to the liturgical calendar. Understanding how a cantata operates and functions makes it easier to follow and also allows the cantata to reveal more of it's spiritual meaning.
What is a Chorus?
A Chorus is the opening movement in a cantata where the orchestra presents the themes or contrasting material first. The orchestra is of course under a choir which sings in standard vocal registers. Usually the choruses are polyphonic in structure.
What is an Aria?
An Aria is a formal composition for one voice. Bach's aria's contain a vocalist with a musical ensemble driving the rhythm and music. Like most arias, the libretto is often repeated many times to build whatever effect is desired by the composer.
What is a Recitative?
A recitative is an informal form of musical composition where a single person sings over an ensemble of instruments. However, the pulse of the piece is guided by the vocalist, unlike an aria where the vocalist is driven by the music. In a recitative, the libretto is written in the vernacular and is even sometimes spoken and not sung. The actual musical composition does not form a strict structure, for example, a recitative will not repeat melodic lines and will not develop an exposition or a theme. In a Bach cantata they are often slow and short, composed of the typical loose recitative structure.
What is a Chorale?
A Chorale, like the ones found in a Bach Cantata, are usually musical adaptations of standard Lutheran Hymns and of which the libretto is usually unmodified. These are all set to a choir of four voices. A Chorale almost always appears at the end of a Cantata.
What is a Sinfonia?
A Sinfonia is a purely instrumental introduction or prelude to a cantata. Not infrequently you will see a Sinfonia take the place of the chorus as the first movement.
Chorale Cantatas
A Chorale Cantata is a cantata which is solely based on a single hymn, both libretto and music. Usually, in the opening chorus and in the last chorale, the text remains unchanged based on the first and last stanza of the original hymn. In the opening chorus the main melody is showcased as a cantus firmus in the soprano part. However, the recitatives and the arias were paraphrased from the middle stanzas of the hymn. When the text of all stanzas of the hymn which is used is unmodified that is called per omnes versus.
Dialogue Cantatas
Dialogue Cantatas are cantatas that were composed as a dialogue between vocal parts. Most often Bach usually had the bass represent Jesus Christ and the soprano represent the soul. These, more specifically, are called Jesus-Soul Dialogue Cantatas.
Solo Cantatas
Solo Cantatas are simply a cantata which showcases one solo vocalist.
The Cycles
Bach composed four annual cycles of cantatas.
1. The first cycle was composed during his first year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig from the first Sunday after Trinity in 1723 to Trinity Sunday of the next year.
2. The second cycle, or the Chorale Cantata Cycle, began from the first Sunday after Trinity in 1724 until 1725, although it is an incomplete cycle. This cycle is also commonly called the Chorale Cantata Cycle as most cantatas in this cycle are chorale cantatas as decided by Bach.
3. The third cycle is not as rigid as the previous cycles. The cantatas which are assigned to this cycle were composed between Bach's third to fifth year in Leipzig (1725-28).
4. The fourth cycle, or the Picander Cycle was composed from 1728-29 while Bach was in Leipzig. This cycle is called the Picander Cycle because of Bach's relationship and collaboration with Christian Friedrich Henrici (also called Picander) who was a poet and satirist that wrote the libretto for a large amount of cantatas in this cycle. This cycle, and relationship between Bach and Picander is probably one of the most interesting subjects surrounding the Cantatas and I will write on it more. The reason for their intense collaboration is unknown despite their appeared difference in temperment: the serious and pius Bach and the satirical, cheerful, and vulgar Picander. Yet, Picander wrote and set deep spiritual poetry to Bach's music.
*All cantatas composed after the fourth cycle are called Late Church Cantatas (1729-50). It is speculated that Bach actually composed a full fifth cycle but sadly a lot of his compositions have been lost since. Most of these cantatas are church cantatas but some were composed for weddings, funerals and the 200th Anniversary of the Augsburg Confession.
_________________________________________________________________________
1. “Liturgy Parts.” Parts of the Liturgy - The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, www.lcms.org/worship/liturgy-parts#words-of-our-lord.
2. “Chorale Cantata Cycle.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorale_cantata_cycle.
3. “Picander Cycle of 1728–29.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Jan. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picander_cycle_of_1728%E2%80%9329.
4. Dialogue Cantatas - Discussions, www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/Dialogue-Cantatas.htm.
5. When Were the Cantatas Performed?, www.bach-cantatas.com/Topics/When.htm.
6. “Bach Cantata.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Jan. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bach_cantata#First_cantata_cycle.
7. Christian Friderich Henrici (Picander) (Poet) - Short Biography, www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Picander.htm.
8. “Johann Sebastian Bach.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach#Leipzig_(1723%E2%80%931750).
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