How did Bach musically portray John the Baptist's leap of joy in this aria? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Johann Sebastian Bach: Master of Baroque Music
This bass aria from Bach's Christmas cantata BWV 121 depicts John the Baptist's leap in his mother's womb during the Visitation. Bach uses dance-like rhythms and playful harmonic "jumps" to illustrate the biblical moment, structured as a da capo aria with a recurring string ritornello.