Bach Cantata Notes

BWV 192

Bach Cantata BWV 192 is a setting of three verses of the Thanksgiving Hymn “Nun Danket alle Gott.” The work comes to us from a set of parts but no score. The tenor part is missing and has been reconstructed by the turn-of-the-century Bach scholar Gunther Raphael. The first verse is a merry chorus with the chorale tune appearing in long notes not only in the sopranos but virtually every instrument of the orchestra. The duet that is the second verse presents the tune in an elaborated version in the soprano and bass and an independent melody in the instruments. A gigue-like rhythm dominates the last movement with a rollicking and dynamic close.