This chorale is the closing movement of Bach's audition cantata for the Leipzig Thomaskantor position. It features a haunting setting of the Agnus Dei text with an intentionally unresolved harmonic conclusion, creating profound tension that foreshadows the Passion narrative. The instrumental parts weave the chorale melody through intricate counterpoint before the final unsettling cadence.
BWV 23, "Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn," was composed as an audition piece for Bach's application to become Thomaskantor in Leipzig. The chorus "Aller Augen warten, Herr" features a dance-like but restrained character with a free rondo form. Remarkably, Bach included his musical signature - the BACH motif (B-flat, A, C, B-natural) - in the opening of this movement, perhaps as a subtle signature in his important job application composition.
