Preise, Jerusalem, den Herrn C-Dur BWV 119

Bach's first cantata for the election of the Leipzig town council, composed in August 1723, is one of his most splendidly scored work from his Leipzig period. The choice of opening, with the "representative" form of a French overture, was suited to a festive orchestral scoring. Two choral movements frame a middle section which consists of two arias and a recitativo accompagnato with a trumpet ritornello. The conclusion of this extended festive music takes a reflective turn in movements 8 and 9, when Bach allows a recitative to be followed by simple, prayer-like chorale movement.