Styles of composition

Cantata

Generally a short vocal composition accompanied usually by an orchestra (and continuo in the Baroque period), which tells a story through the use of recitative, aria and chorus. In the 17th and 18th centuries there were two types: ‘cantata da chiesa’, religious text for church use, and ‘cantata da camera’, secular text for concert performance. Bach wrote many cantatas and here is a brief excerpt from one. 

  Listen for a bass voice, organ, orchestra and oboe obbligato.

Passion

An oratorio which is based on the ‘Passion’, the Crucifixion of Christ.  In this excerpt the Evangelist, who tells the story, introduces the chorus, who complain to Pilate that if he lets Jesus free he would no represent Caesar. Pilate remonstrates with the crowd but the chorus reply 'Away, away with him, crucify him! 

Listen for recitative from the soloist and entry of  the chorus, which sings in a polyphonic style. Now listen to an excerpt from the final chorus of the ‘St John Passion’ by J S Bach.   The excerpts are in German.

(J S Bach in early life).

Hymn

Music which is sung by the congregation at a church service. In this excerpt the choir sings the first verse in harmony, while verse two is sung in unison by male voices with a descant sung by treble voices, young children's voices from an English cathedral choir.