A TABLE OF OCCASIONS FOR THE SACRED WORKS
This table gives with a brief summary the Epistle and Gospel for
each Sunday and festival for which Bach composed a vocal work. The
works performed appear in relative chronological order after each
occasion.
SUNDAYS AND MAJOR HOLY DAYS
First Sunday in Advent: BWV 61,
62,
36.
Rom. 13:11-14: Our Salvation is near.
Mt. 21:1-9: Entrance into Jerusalem.
Second Sunday in Advent: BWV 70a.
Rom. 15:4-13: The Ministry to the
Gentiles.
Lk. 21:25-36: The Second Coming of Christ.
Third Sunday in Advent: BWV 186a.
1 Cor. 4:1-5: The Stewardship of the
Apostles.
Mt. 11:2-10: John in Prison.
Fourth Sunday in Advent: BWV 132,
147a.
Phil. 4:4-7: Joy in the Lord.
Jn. 1:19-28: The Testimony of John the
Baptist.
Tit. 2:11-14: The Grace of God is
manifest.
Or: Is. 9:2-7: To us a Child is born.
Lk. 2:1-14: The Birth of Christ.
Second Day of Christmas (St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, 26
December): BWV 40,
121,
57,
248II.
Tit. 3:4-7: The Washing of Regeneration.
Or: Acts 6:8ff. and 7:54-59: The Martyrdom
of Stephen.
Lk. 2:15-20: The Shepherds at the Manger.
Or: Mt. 23:34-39: The Slaying of the
Prophets.
Third Day of Christmas (St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, 27
December): BWV 64,
133,
151,
248III.
Heb. 1:1-14: Christ is higher than the
angels.
Jn. 1:1-14: In the beginning was the Word.
Sunday after Christmas Day (Last Sunday of the Civil Year, not
present in every year): BWV 152,
122,
28.
Gal. 4:1-7: Christ frees us from the Law.
Lk. 2:33-40: Simeon and Anna's Words to
Mary.
New Year's Day (Feast of the Circumcision and Naming of Christ,
1 January): BWV 190,
41,
16,
171,
248IV,
143,
XVIII.
Gal. 3:23-29: By Faith we are children of
God.
Lk. 2:21: The Circumcision and Naming of
Christ.
Sunday after New Year's Day (not present in every year):
BWV 153,
58,
248V.
1 Pet. 4:12-19: The Sufferings of Christ.
Mt. 2:13-23: The Flight into Egypt.
Is. 60:1-6: The Conversion of the
Gentiles.
Mt. 2:1-12: The Wise Men from the East.
First Sunday after Epiphany: BWV 154,
124,
32.
Rom. 12:1-6: The Christian Rules of Life.
Lk. 2:41-52: The Twelve-year-old Jesus in
the Temple. Second Sunday after Epiphany: BWV 153,
3,
13.
Rom. 12:6-16: The Christian Rules of Life.
Jn. 2:1-11: The Marriage Feast at Cana.
Third Sunday after Epiphany (not present in every year):
BWV 73,
111,
72,
156.
Rom. 12:17-21: The Christian Rules of
Life.
Mt. 8:1-13: The Healing of a Leper and a
Man with Palsy.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (not present in every year):
BWV 81,
14.
Rom. 13:8-10:Ý Love is the Fulfilment of
the Law.
Mt. 8:23-27: Jesus calms the storm.
Septuagesima Sunday: BWV 144,
92,
84.
1 Cor. 9:24-10:5: Preparation for the
Footrace; The Baptism of Moses in the Red Sea.
Mt. 20:1-6: The Parable of the Workers in
the Vineyard.
2 Cor. 11:19-12:9: The Perfection of God's
Power in Weakness.
Lk. 8:4-15: The Parable of the Sower.
Estomihi (Quinquagesima, or the Sunday before Lent): BWV 22,
23,
127,
159.
1 Cor. 13:1-13: The Praise of Charity.
Lk. 18:31-43: The Journey to Jerusalem and
Healing of a Blind Man.
Oculi (Third Sunday in Lent): BWV
54, 80a.
Eph. 5:1-9: Exhortation to a Pure Life;
the Children of Light.
Lk. 11:14-28: The Casting Out of a Devil.
Palmarum (Palm Sunday): BWV 182.
Phil. 2:5-11: Be of one mind with Jesus.
Or: 1 Cor. 11:23-32: The Last Supper.
Mt. 21:1-9: Entrance into Jerusalem.
The Passion of Christ.
Easter Sunday: BWV 4,
31,
249.
1 Cor. 5:6-8: Christ, our Paschal Lamb.
Mk. 16:1-8: The Resurrection of Christ.
Second Day of Easter (Easter Monday): BWV 66,
6,
VI.
Acts 10:34-43: Peter's Sermon to the
Centurion Cornelius on Christ's Resurrection.
Lk. 24:13-35: The Journey of the Disciples
to Emmaus.
Third Day of Easter (Easter Tuesday): BWV 134,
145,
158.
Acts 13:26-33: Paul's Sermon in Antioch.
Lk. 24:36-47: Jesus appears to the
Disciples in Jerusalem.
Quasimodogeniti (First Sunday after Easter):Ý BWV 67,
42.
1 Jn. 5:4-10: Faith overcomes the World.
Jn. 20:19-31: Jesus appears to the
Disciples and Doubting Thomas.
Misericordias Domini (Second Sunday after Easter or Good
Shepherd Sunday): BWV 104,
85,
112.
1 Pet. 2:21-25: Jesus, the Shepherd of the
Lost Sheep.
Jn. 10:12-16: The Good Shepherd.
Jubilate (Third Sunday after Easter): BWV 12,
103,
146.
1 Pet. 2:11-20: The Duties of God's
Servants to God and to Human Ordinance.
Jn. 16:16-23: Your Sorrow shall be turned
into Joy. Cantate (Fourth Sunday after Easter): BWV 166,
108.
Jas. 1:17-21: All perfect Gifts come from
above.
Jn. 16:5-15: Jesus departeth, the
Comforter cometh.
Rogate (Fifth Sunday after Easter or Rogation Sunday): BWV
86,
87.
Jas. 1:22-27: Be not Hearers, but Doers of
the Word.
Jn. 16:23-30: On Prayer in Jesus' Name.
Ascension Day (sometimes called Holy Thursday): BWV 37,
128,
43,
11.
Acts 1:1-11: The Final Commission and
Ascension of Jesus.
Mk. 16:14-20: The Commandment to Baptize
and the Ascension.
Exaudi (The Sunday after Ascension Day): BWV 44,
183.
1 Pet. 4:8-11: On Christian Service in
Good Works.
Jn. 15:26-16:4: The Prediction of the
Persecution of the Disciples.
First Day of Pentecost (Whitsunday): BWV 172,
59,
74,
34.
Acts 2:1-13: The Descent and Appearance of
the Holy Ghost.
Jn. 14:23-31: If ye love me, keep my
commandments.
Second Day of Pentecost (Monday in Whitsun Week): BWV 173,
68,
174.
Acts 10:42-48: The End of Peter's Sermon
to Cornelius and the Baptism of the Gentiles.
Jn. 3:16-21: God so loved the world, that
he gave his only-begotten Son.
Third Day of Pentecost (Tuesday in Whitsun Week): BWV 184,
175.
Acts 8:14-17: The Reception of the Holy
Ghost in Samaria.
Jn. 10:1-11: The Good Shepherd.
Rom. 11:33-36: God's Wisdom.
Jn. 3:1-5: Jesus's Conversation with
Nicodemus.
First Sunday after Trinity: BWV 54
(also Oculi), 75,
20,
39.
1 Jn. 4:16-21: God is Love.
Lk. 16:19-31: Dives and Lazarus.
Second Sunday after Trinity: BWV 76,
2.
1 Jn. 3:13-18: On Brotherly Love.
Lk. 14:16-24: The Parable of the Great
Supper.
Third Sunday after Trinity: BWV 21,
135,
177
(also Fourth Sunday after Trinity).
1 Pet. 5:6-11: Cast your care upon God.
Lk. 15:1-10: The Parables of the Lost
Sheep and the Lost Coin.
Fourth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 185,
24,
177.
Rom. 8:18-23: Salvation through the Hope
of the Holy Spirit.
Lk. 6:36-42: Be merciful; Judge not, and
ye shall not be judged.
Fifth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 93,
Neumeister's Der Segen des Herrn machet reich ohne Mühe, 88.
1 Pet. 3:8-15: Patience in Suffering.
Lk. 5:1-11: Peter's Miraculous Draught of
Fishes.
Sixth Sunday after Trinity: Neumeister's Wer sich rächet,
an dem wird sich der Herr wieder rächen, BWV 170,
9.
Rom. 6:3-11: Deliverance from Sin through
Christ's Death.
Mt. 5:20-26: Christ's Reinterpretation of
the Law.
Seventh Sunday after Trinity: BWV 54 (Oculi), 186,
107,
187,
XVII.
Rom. 6:19-23: The Fruits of the Service of
God.
Mk. 8:1-9: The Feeding of the Four
Thousand.
Eighth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 136,
178,
45.
Rom. 8:12-17: Those led by the Spirit of
God are the sons of God.
Mt. 7:15-23: The Warning against False
Prophets.
Ninth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 105,
94,
168.
1 Cor. 10:6-13: Warning against Idolatry
and Smugness.
Lk. 16:1-9: The Parable of the Unjust
Steward.
Tenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 46,
101,
102.
1 Cor. 12:1-11: Concerning Spiritual
Gifts.
Lk. 41-48: The Prophecy of the Destruction
of Jerusalem; the Driving-out of the Merchants from the Temple.
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity: BWV 199,
179,
113.
1 Cor. 15:1-10: The Resurrection of Christ
and the Apostolic Mission of Paul.
Lk. 18:9-14: The Parable of the Pharisee
and the Publican.
Twelfth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 69a,
137,
35,
69.
2 Cor. 3:4-11: The Letter killeth, but the
Spirit giveth life.
Mk. 7: 31-37: The Healing of the Deafmute.
Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 77,
33,
164.
Gal. 3:15-22: The Promise to Abraham and
the Law.
Lk. 10:23-37: The Good Samaritan.
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 25,
78,
17.
Gal. 5:16-24: The Works of the Flesh and
the Fruits of the Spirit.
Lk. 17:11-19: The Healing of Ten Lepers.
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 138,
99,
51.
Gal. 5:25-6:10: Exhortation to Gentleness
and Goodness.
Mt. 6:24-34: Be not anxious for the
morrow.
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 161,
95,
8,
27.
Eph. 3:13-21: Paul prays for the
strengthening of the faith of the Ephesians.
Lk. 7:11-17: The Young Man of Nain Brought
Back to Life.
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 148,
114,
47.
Eph. 4:1-6: Exhortation to Unity of the
Spirit in the Bond of Peace.
Lk. 14:1-11: The Healing of the Man with
the Dropsy.
Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 96,
169.
1 Cor. 1:4-9: Paul's Thanksgiving for the
Grace of God Given to the Corinthians.
Mt. 22:34-46: The First and Great
Commandment; David's "Son" and David's "Lord."
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 48,
5,
56.
Eph. 4:22-28: The Renewal in the Spirit of
the Mind.
Mt. 9:1-8: The Healing of the Man with the
Palsy.
Twentieth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 54
(also Oculi), 162,
180,
49.
Eph. 5:5-21: Submit yourselves one to
another in the fear of God.
Mt. 22:1-14: The King's Wedding Banquet
for his Son; Many are called, but few are chosen.
Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity: BWV 109,
38,
98,
188.
Eph. 6:10-17: Put on the whole armor of
God.
Jn. 4:47-54: The Healing of the Son of a
Nobleman at Capernaum.
Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity: BWV 89,
115,
55.
Phil. 1:3-11: Paul's Prayer for the
Philippians.
Mt. 18:23-35: The Parable of the
Unfaithful Servant.
Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity: BWV 163,
139,
52.
Phil. 3:17-21: Our citizenship is in
heaven.
Mt. 22:15-22: Deceitful Pharisees; the
Parable of the Tribute Penny of Caesar.
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 60,
26.
Col. 1:9-14: Paul's Prayer for the
Colossians.
Mt. 9:18-26: The Raising of Jairus'
Daughter.
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 90,
116.
1 Th. 4:13-18: The Coming of Christ and
the Raising of the Dead.
Mt. 24:15-28: The Coming of Christ, the
End of the World.
Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity: BWV 70.
2 Pet. 3:3-13: The Certainty of Christ's
Coming.
Mt. 25:31-46: Jesus' Description of the
Last Judgment.
Twenty-seventh Sunday after Trinity: BWV 140.
1 Th. 5:1-11: Preparation for the Last
Judgment.
Mt. 25:1-13: The Parable of the Ten
Virgins.
FEASTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The Purification (The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, 2
February): BWV 161
(also 16
Sunday after Trinity), 83,
125,
82,
157,
200,
158
(also 3rd Day of Easter).
Mal. 3:1-4: The Lord shall suddenly come
to his temple.
Lk. 2:22-32: The Presentation of Jesus in
the Temple and the Song of Simeon.
The Annunciation (25 March): BWV 182
(also Palmarum), Siehe, eine Jungfrau ist schwanger, 1.
Is. 7:10-16: The Prophecy of the Birth of
the Messiah.
Lk. 1:26-38: The Angel Gabriel announces
the birth of Jesus to Mary.
The Visitation (2 July): BWV 147,
10,
Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn.
Is. 11:1-5: The Prophecy of the Messiah.
Lk. 1:39-56: Elizabeth's Salutation to
Mary and Mary's Song of Praise.
FEASTS OF THE SAINTS AND OTHER SPECIAL OCCASIONS
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24): BWV 167,
7,
Gelobet sei der Herr, der Israel, 30.
Is. 40:1-5: The Voice of One Crying in the
Wilderness.
Lk. 1:57-80: The Birth of John and
Zacharia's Song of Praise.
St. Michael and All Angels (29 September): BWV 130,
19,
149,
50.
Rev. 12:7-12: Michael's Battle with the
Dragon.
Mt. 18:1-11: The Angels of Children in
Heaven.
Reformation (31 October): BWV 76
(also 2nd Sunday after Trinity, 80,
79.
2 Th. 2:3-8: Steadfastness against the
Lawless One.
Rev. 14:6-8: Exhortation to Fear God.
LOCAL OCCASIONS
Dedication of an Organ: BWV 194.
Jubilee of the 200th Anniversary of the Augsburg Confession
(25- 27 June 1730): BWV 190a,
120b,
XVIb
(Anh. 4).
Per ogni tempo (For Any Occasion): BWV 21,
51,
?100.
Unspecified Occasion: BWV 131,
XIX
(223), 150,
XIII
(Anh. 5), XXI
(Anh. 15), 192,
100,
97,
117,
118,
225,
?227,
?228,
229,
230,
232,
233,
234,
(242),
235,
236,
237,
238,
239,
240,
241.
A TABLE OF OCCASIONS FOR SECULAR WORKS
The works performed for each type of occasion are listed in
relative chronological order.
Inauguration of the New Town Council.
Ceremony for Members of Noble Houses: BWV 208,
66a,
134a,
IX
(Anh. 6), XII
(Anh. 7), XXII,
173a,
184a,
194a,
XXIII
(Anh. 8), 249a,
36a,
X
(Anh. 9), 193a,
II
(Anh. 11),
IV (Anh. 12), 213,
214,
205a,
215,
206,
207a,
XV
(Anh. 13), 208a, 1127.
Ceremony for the University and Members of the University:
XXVI,
BWV 205,
207,
36b.
Ceremony for School and Council: BWV 36c,
216a,
III
(Anh.18), VIII
(Anh. 19).
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