Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwlfe BWV 22

Johann Sebastian Bach composed the church cantata for Quinquagesima, the last Sunday before Lent. Bach composed it as an audition piece for the position of Thomaskantor in Leipzig and first performed it there on 7 February 1723. The work shows that Bach had mastered the composition of a dramatic scene, an expressive aria with obbligato oboe, a recitative with strings, an exuberant dance, and a chorale in the style of his predecessor in the position. The music is scored for three vocal soloists, a four-part choir, oboe,. strings and continuo. Bach's work from this period was mostly secular, including the orchestral suites, the cello suites, and the cantatas for the New Year's Day and Pentecost. Bach was arrested for disobedience in Weimar in 1717, but was released on 2 December 1717. The court was Calvinist, therefore Bach found an employer who was an enthusiastic musician himself. Bach looked for a better position and became Kapellmeister at the court of Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen.