78
Chapter 17
Johann Sebastian Bach
Cantata 140: Awake, a Voice Calls to Us, selections
Chapter at a Glance
Listen to This First
(1) The Chorale: Movement Seven
Unified Timbre
(2) The Chorus: Movement One
The Composer Speaks
[(2) The Chorus: Movement One, continued]
Melody Interrupted
Form: The Ritornello Principle
Chapter Objectives
After reading the chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
use in Protestant services during the Baroque era.
17.3 Describe the similarities and differences between the final-movement chorale and
the first-movement chorus.
17.5 Describe the contrasting timbres used by Bach to create the first-movement chorus.
urch
shaped his output as a composer.
Key Concepts
cantata, chorale, ritornello principle, song form (AAB)
79
Chapter Highlight: Sacred Music of the Late Baroque
In the Protestant church, the chorale (hymn) was the basic musical element of the
church service. The entire congregation would know the words and melodies by heart
Chapter Summary
Bach wrote more than 200 cantatas for church services when he lived in Leipzig and
g at St. Thomas
school, composing music for Sunday services, copying parts, and rehearsing with the
musicians. He continually complained about his low wages, the working conditions, the
attitudes of town authorities toward music, and the high cost of living.
Cantatas were written around the scripture designated for each Sunday. The
Listening Guide
The Listening Guide presents the two movements in the order in which they occur in the
cantata. The alternation between the dotted rhythms of the ritornello and the chorale
phrases are marked by the text columns. The AAB form is also reiterated with the
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide: Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata 140: Awake, a Voice Calls
to Us, selections
80
Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
1. What are some of the reasons Bach chose to use familiar chorale or hymn tunes in his
cantatas?
2. Besides the sopranos singing the chorale throughout the two movements discussed in
this chapter, what other musical ideas did Bach present to go with the melody?
3. Using syllabic setting with the same rhythms in all four parts creates a solid structure.
Activities and Exercises
1. Divide the class into two groups. Group 1 should collect information on Leipzig at the
travel brochure to be distributed in Western Europe, inviting tourism. What points
should be highlighted? Group 2 should collect present-day information about the
Journaling Prompt
Cantatas have a very specific place in performance: most are intended for practical use
in a church service. When you watch a program that includes musical selections, how
does the music enhance your experience? Discuss a specific example. The program can
any other instance featuring music.