Chapter 19: Musical Sermons: Bach and the Lutheran Cantata
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The sacred cantata was an integral part of the:
a. Catholic church service. c. Lutheran church service.
b. Anglican church service. d. Pilgrims’ church service in America.
2. Which of the following describe(s) the chorale?
a. Chorales were intended to be sung by the congregation.
b. The chorale tune was placed in the soprano in four-part settings.
c. Chorale texts are in German.
d. all of the answers shown here
3. During his lifetime, Johann Sebastian Bach held the position of:
a. cantor of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
b. court organist and chamber musician to the duke of Weimar.
c. court musician to the prince of Anhalt-Cöthen.
d. all of the answers shown here
4. Johann Sebastian Bach was most famous in his day as a performer on:
a. the harpsichord. c. the piano.
b. the organ. d. the clavichord.
5. What is the form of the chorale tune Wachet auf?
a. A-B-B c. da capo (A-B-A)
b. A-B-B-A d. bar form (A-A-B)
6. The opening movement of Bach’s cantata Wachet auf is best described as:
a. a grand chorale fantasia. c. a soprano aria.
b. a duet for soprano and bass. d. a four-part chorale.
7. Luther and his followers created weekly hymns known as:
a. sorrow songs. c. chorales.
b. congregational tunes. d. choruses.
8. A group of university students and musicians who give regular concerts is called:
a. a collegium musicum. c. a chorale.
b. an ensemble. d. cantata.
9. The elaboration of the weekly Lutheran hymn is known as a:
a. chorale. c. spiritual.
b. cantata. d. chorus.
10. Lutheran chorales were originally sung in what language?
a. Latin c. English
b. German d. French
11. Bach’s cantatas typically included how many movements?
a. two c. five to eight
b. four d. eleven
12. Bach uses a hymn originally written by ________ as the basis for Wachet auf (“Sleepers
Awake”).
a. Martin Luther c. Machaut
b. Philipp Nicolai d. Farmer
TRUE/FALSE
1. The texts for chorales were always taken from the Bible.
2. A chorale is a hymn tune associated with the followers of Martin Luther.
3. Chorales were intended to be sung by a trained choir.
4. Bach completed just under 100 cantatas in his lifetime.
5. Johann Sebastian Bach lived a short, unhappy life and had no children.
6. During his lifetime, Johann Sebastian Bach was known primarily as a great organist.
7. Bach’s setting of the chorale tune Wachet auf utilizes ground-bass form.
8. In Wachet auf, Bach presents the chorale melody in only one movement.
9. J. S. Bach is the culminating figure of the Baroque style and one of the giants in the history of
Western music.
10. Bach’s cantata Wachet auf (“Sleepers Awake”) is based on a well-known Lutheran choral tune
written by Philipp Nicolai.
11. Wachet auf (“Sleepers Awake”) is in a standard three-part structure known as bar form.
ESSAY
1. Discuss how the chorale expanded into the cantata.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 100–102
TOP: Baroque Cantata MSC: Applied
2. Discuss how Wachet auf (“Sleepers Awake”) reveals Bach’s deep-rooted faith and his ability to
communicate a meaningful spiritual message.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 3 REF: Essentials: pp. 100–102
TOP: Baroque Cantata MSC: Applied