How did Bach weave an entire movement from a single thematic fragment? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Johann Sebastian Bach: Master of Baroque Music
This arioso from Bach's cantata BWV 81 depicts Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8:26). Scored for alto, strings, and continuo, it demonstrates Bach's extreme motivic economy—nearly every element derives from the initial vocal theme stated in mm. 2-3, with intricate canonic imitations and contrapuntal splicing throughout the continuo and voice parts.