Conducted by Shunske Sato, the Netherlands Bach Society performs Johann Sebastian Bach’s Nun danket alle Gott (Now thank we all our God), BWV 192. Recorded on 20 June 2022 at the Philharmonie Haarlem, the Netherlands.
Musicians:
- Netherlands Bach Society
- Shunske Sato, violin and direction
- Isabel Schicketanz, soprano
- Wolf Matthias Friedrich, bass
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Nun danket alle Gott
Johann Sebastian Bach’s BWV 192, titled “Nun danket alle Gott” (“Now thank we all our God”), is a sacred cantata that was composed to give thanks, likely for special church occasions or possibly general services of thanksgiving. The exact occasion for which it was written is not entirely clear.
It is based on the hymn of the same name by the German Lutheran clergyman and hymnist Martin Rinckart (23 April 1586, Eilenburg – 8 December 1649), which is a song of thanksgiving traditionally associated with the end of the Thirty Years’ War in Europe.
The cantata is relatively short, consisting of only three movements:
- Chorus: “Nun danket alle Gott” – A choral arrangement of the hymn, usually accompanied by a full orchestra.
- Aria (Duet): “Der ewig reiche Gott” – Typically for a soprano and bass, this is a more reflective piece that might include additional instrumental solos.
- Choral: “Das ewig reiche Gott” – Another choral arrangement, often similar in orchestration to the first movement but with different thematic material.
Due to its brevity, the cantata is not as expansive as some of Bach’s other works in the genre, like the Christmas Oratorio or the St. Matthew Passion. However, it is a focused and elegant work, encapsulating themes of gratitude and divine benevolence.
Though not as frequently performed as some of his other cantatas, BWV 192 is still considered a masterful composition. Like many of Bach’s cantatas, it incorporates complex counterpoint and harmonic structures, demonstrating Bach’s mastery over the form.
Sources
- Johann Sebastian Bach’s Nun danket alle Gott on the Bach Evening website
