How does Bach's aria "Bereitet die Wege" musically interpret the biblical call to "prepare the way for the Lord"? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Johann Sebastian Bach: Master of Baroque Music
"Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn" (Prepare the paths, prepare the way) is a church cantata composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is cataloged as BWV 132. Here are some interesting facts about this particular composition:
Composition Date: Bach composed BWV 132 in 1715 during his tenure as the Thomaskantor in Leipzig.
Liturgical Context: The cantata was written for the fourth Sunday in Advent, which is the last Sunday before Christmas in the liturgical calendar.
Text Source: The libretto for BWV 132 is based on a text by Picander (Christian Friedrich Henrici), a frequent collaborator with Bach. The text reflects themes of preparing for the arrival of Christ.
Structural Features: Like many of Bach's cantatas, BWV 132 consists of multiple movements, including choruses, arias, and recitatives. The structure and form of each movement contribute to the overall narrative and expression of the text.
Theological Themes: The cantata explores theological themes related to the anticipation of the arrival of Christ, drawing from biblical passages associated with the Advent season.
Notable Movements: The opening chorus, "Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn," is a powerful and festive movement that sets the tone for