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In his second year as Thomascantor in Leipzig, Bach commenced a cycle of cantatas in which chorale melodies form the main thread. Each cantata was to be based on a chorale appropriate to the time of the church year. The first and last verses of the chorale were to be reserved for the opening and closing movements, while the remaining verses were to be parafrased, shortened and adapted to the free poetry of the recitatives and arias. The text and melody of the chorales were therefore the distinguishing feature, giving rise to the name chorale cantata. To this category belongs Cantata 1 ‘Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern’ for the feast of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, 25 March 1725. In the first and last movements the chorale melody is heard in the soprano. The subject matter concerns not so much Mary but rather the coming of Christ, thus the allegory of the morning star. The twinkling star is illustrated by the two sparkling solo violins in the first movement. Composer: Johann Sebas
