The cycle of chorale cantatas composed by Bach in 1724/1725 focused on the heritage of Lutheran songs. Each of the 40 cantatas is based on the stanzas of the song in question. The first and last parts of the cantata have the same text as the first and last stanza of the song, and the intermediate stanzas are usually reworked into arias and recitatives.
A striking number of chorale cantatas are based on songs by Martin Luther. Even in the chorale cantatas added later, some are still based on songs by Luther.
This list of links will take you to the articles on each of these cantatas on this website.
- Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein (BWV 2)
- Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam (BWV 7)
- Meine Seele erhebt den Herren (BWV 10)
- Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (BWV 38)
- Nun komm der Heiden Heiland (BWV 62)
- Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (BWV 91)
- Christum wir sollen loben schon (BWV 121)
- Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin (BWV 125)
- Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort (BWV 126)
- Christ lag in Todesbanden (BWV 4)
- Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (BWV 80)
- Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit (BWV 14)
The poster below shows all 40 cantatas from the 1724/1725 year plus the cantata for Easter 1725, a reprise of Bach’s previously composed cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden. Luther’s songs can be found in the white spheres with the Luther rose. The octagonal areas are cantatas for a fixed date.
For more information, see the overview with links to all chorale cantatas.
