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Cantata 128 ‘Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein’ has, by reason of its performance on Ascension Day 10 May 1725, a festive instrumentation including brass. The work requires three soloists (alto, tenor and bass), four-part choir, two oboes d’amore, oboe da caccia, two horns and a high trumpet. The latter instrument plays a most illustrative role in the bass aria No.3, underlining the words ‘auf, auf, mit hellem Schall’. Although Bach included this cantata in the cycle of chorale cantatas it is really an ‘odd man out’, since it is based not on one but on two chorales: the opening chorus and the final chorale employ different melodies. In the opening chorus the orchestra comes into its own in jubilant and energetic semiquaver writing. In the earlier-mentioned aria No.3 Bach has a surprise in store when, before the final ritornello, he inserts an unexpected accompanied recitative. The charming duet No.4 in rocking 6/8 time has a most appropriate oboe d’amore part. The work ends with a simple chorale. Composer
