Composed for the 27th Sunday after Trinity, this sacred cantata masterfully interweaves biblical texts with Philipp Nicolai's hymn. Its most famous movement features an expressive dialogue between the Soul (soprano) and Jesus (bass), accompanied by rich contrapuntal textures.
This work is part of Bach's Lutheran chorale tradition, featuring a dialogue between the Soul and Christ set as soprano-bass duets with rich orchestral accompaniment.
Bach's cantata BWV 140, "Wachet auf," is celebrated for its fusion of sacred chorale traditions with dramatic dialogue between Jesus (bass) and the Soul (soprano). Its fourth movement became the basis for the first Schübler Chorale (BWV 645), showcasing Bach's skill in reworking vocal music for organ. The cantata's eschatological themes and use of Nicolai's hymn make it a staple of Advent repertoire.
A vibrant sacred cantata composed for the 27th Sunday after Trinity, featuring chorales, recitatives, and arias. It is based on the Lutheran hymn "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" by Philipp Nicolai.
J.S. Bach's Cantata BWV 140, "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme," is a sacred work composed for the 27th Sunday after Trinity. It brilliantly combines Nicolai's hymn with elaborate choral writing and instrumental obbligatos, featuring one of Bach's most famous soprano-tenor duets symbolizing the soul's dialogue with Christ.
