Rhythmic Connections - Bach

Cantata
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The word cantata comes from the Latin "cantare," - to sing. It originated from a poem telling a story about an event, and was sung by a single voice, accompanied by one or more instruments in a free rhythmic style called recitative.

Today a cantata consists of full choruses, recitatives and solos. They may be either sacred or secular.

During the Baroque period, in which J.S. Bach (1685-1750) lived in Germany, the cantata became one of the key musical works of the Lutheran church service.

Bach composed over 200 church cantatas and he firmly believed that music must serve "the glory of God."