Gott ist unsre Zuversicht (God is our confidence),BWV 197.2 (formerlyBWV 197),[1] is achurch cantata byJohann Sebastian Bach.
In 1728 inLeipzig, Bach composed aChristmas cantata,Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe, BWV 197.1 (Glory be to God in the Highest), which he revised in 1736–37 into this wedding cantata. Movement 5 is a chorale stanza byMartin Luther, the final movement is byGeorg Neumark; the rest of the poetry is anonymous.[2]
The cantata is scored for three vocal soloists (soprano,alto, andbass), afour-part choir, threetrumpets,timpani, twooboes, twooboes d'amore,bassoon, twoviolins,viola, andbasso continuo.[3]
The work's ten movements are divided into two parts of five movements each, to be performed before and after the wedding sermon.[3]
The opening movement is a chorus inda capo form with a prominent trumpet part and an active violin line. The vocal parts usefugal techniques. The bassrecitative issecco and "set to a melody of almost childlike naivety and simplicity". The altoaria's structure combines elements of da capo andritornello form; the instrumental introduction does not completely recur and the reprise differs significantly from the opening section. The fourth movement is a bass recitative with chordal strings. The section closes with a four-part setting of the chorale tune with varied phrase lengths.[4]
The second section opens with a bass aria that "has a lavishness of sound which is almost unparalleled". A two-part secco soprano recitative leads to an aria that was for bass in BWV 197.1 but in BWV 197.2 is scored for soprano.[4] The aria is in the style of asiciliano.[5] The penultimate movement is a bass recitative with chordal oboes and interjecting strings. The final chorale setting is relatively simple and in minor mode.[4]
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