Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

Jul 23, 1724

Publication Date

:

1876

First Performance

:

Jul 23, 1724

Average_duration

:

17:59

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

Johann Sebastian Bach composed Cantata No. 107, "Was willst du dich betrüben" (Why do you trouble yourself), BWV 107, in Leipzig in 1724. The cantata was premiered on August 6, 1724, the ninth Sunday after Trinity. It is a choral cantata, consisting of six movements, and is scored for four vocal soloists (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), a four-part choir, and a small orchestra consisting of two oboes, strings, and continuo. The first movement is a chorale fantasia, in which the choir sings the first verse of the hymn "Was willst du dich betrüben" in a complex and ornate setting. The second movement is a recitative for the bass soloist, who urges the listener to trust in God and not to worry about earthly troubles. The third movement is an aria for the soprano soloist, accompanied by the oboes, in which she expresses her faith in God's protection and care. The fourth movement is a duet for the alto and tenor soloists, accompanied by the strings, in which they sing of the peace and comfort that comes from trusting in God. The fifth movement is a recitative for the tenor soloist, who reminds the listener that God's love is greater than any earthly sorrow. The final movement is a four-part chorale, in which the choir sings the final verse of the hymn in a simple and straightforward setting. The cantata is characterized by its rich and complex harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive use of text painting. Bach's use of the oboes in the soprano aria and the duet for alto and tenor adds a pastoral and intimate quality to the music, while the use of the strings in the duet and the final chorale provides a warm and comforting backdrop for the singers. The cantata's message of trust in God and the comfort that comes from faith is conveyed through the music's gentle and reassuring tone, making it a powerful expression of Bach's religious beliefs and his ability to communicate them through music.

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