Johann Sebastian Bach

Der Herr denket an uns (The Lord is mindful of us), BWV 196, is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is difficult to date, but is generally considered to be an early cantata on stylistic grounds. It has been suggested that it was composed at Mühlhausen where Bach lived in 1707/1708.

The text is taken from Psalms 115. Much of Bach's later cantata output was written for the requirements of the liturgical calendar, but this cantata appears to have been written for a special occasion. The psalm includes the line "The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children". Many commentators, from Philipp Spitta onwards, have concluded that the cantata was written for a wedding, and have gone so far as to suggest actual weddings where it might have been performed, including Bach's own in 1707. However, the wedding hypothesis is far from proven, and the text could fit other occasions.

Although this Cantata is scored for three vocal soloists (soprano, tenor, and bass), a four-part choir and an instrumental ensemble consisting of strings and continuo I created this arrangement for French Horn, Tuba & Strings (2 Violins, Viola, Cello and Bass).