Background Information

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

• Born: 1685, Eisenach, Germany.
• Died: 1750, Leipzig, Germany.
• Bach was a German Baroque composer, organist, and teacher, renowned for his sacred and secular works. He held the position of Kantor in Leipzig, where he composed many of his greatest works, including this cantata.

Historical Context

• Composition Date: 1724.
• First Performance: 14th Sunday after Trinity, 10 September 1724.
• The cantata was composed during Bach's tenure at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig as part of his second annual cycle of chorale cantatas, which were based on well-known Lutheran hymns.

Text and Theme

• Hymn Source: The text is based on a 1641 hymn by Johann Rist, "Jesu, der du meine Seele."
• The hymn reflects themes of Christ's suffering, redemption, and the believer's relationship with Jesus.
• The opening and closing movements use the original hymn text, while the inner movements paraphrase the text to allow for more detailed personal and theological reflection.

Religious and Liturgical Significance

• Occasion: The cantata was written for the 14th Sunday after Trinity. The Gospel reading for this day focused on themes of healing, gratitude, and faith (Luke 17:11-19).
• Liturgical Function: Cantatas were central to Lutheran worship, designed to elaborate on the day's Gospel reading and enhance the sermon through music.

Importance in Bach's Output

• This cantata is part of Bach's extensive body of sacred music, showcasing his ability to combine profound theological meaning with musical complexity.
• It demonstrates Bach's commitment to integrating Lutheran hymnody into large-scale works to connect congregations with their faith through music.

Instrumentation

• Composed for a typical Baroque ensemble, including vocal soloists, SATB choir, and an orchestra featuring strings, continuo, and woodwind instruments like flutes and oboes.