CLXV. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #117: Sei Lob und Ehr dem Höchsten Gut, BWV 117

CLXV. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)

Cantata #117: Sei Lob und Ehr dem Höchsten Gut, BWV 117 (1728-31)
1. Chorale: Sei Lob und Ehr dem höchsten Gut
2. Recitative (bass): Es danken dir die Himmelsheer
3. Aria (tenor): Was unser Gott geschaffen hat
4. Chorale: Ich rief dem Herrn in meiner Not
5. Recitative (alto): Der Herr ist noch und nimmer nicht
6. Aria (bass): Wenn Trost und Hülf ermangeln muss
7. Aria (alto): Ich will dich all mein Leben lang
8. Recitative (tenor): Ihr, die ihr Christi Namen rennt
9. Chorale: So kommet vor sein Angesicht
Unknown, soprano
Ashley Hibbard, mezzo-soprano
Pablo Bustos, tenor
Benjamin Curtis, bass
Eastman School Bach Cantata Series
David Chin, cond.
(22:04)

The hymn tune which informs the entire cantata appears everywhere, but is most plainly stated in the Chorale (#4):

Now notice how Bach resets the Chorale melody (soprano) in the opening Chorale section (#1), with different words. There are four bars of instrumental accompaniment in between each of these seven sections:

Every movement of this cantata ends with the same phrase:

Gebt unserm Gott die Ehre!
To Him be all the glory!

#2: Basso recitative:

#3: Tenor aria:

#5: alto recitative:

#6: bass aria:

#7: alto aria:

#8: Tenor recitative:

The opening chorus (#1) is repeated.

#9: Chorale: