That's what i have been trying to convey.
Cantatas are miniature operas. Those commisioned by lutheran church in Leipzig were all based on bible and were meant for service. There was no stage, all sung by church quire, as per contract. Each cantata was composed of multiple parts, arias, recitatives, chorals, anywhere from 5 to 15 parts lasting anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. No stage was allowed, it was not for entertainment but worship.
Bach was supposed to compose new cantata every week, and reusing old material was expected and tolerated. Not only that, he had to rehers it and conduct it. All that while having more than dozen kids around.
Cantatas are miniature operas. Those commisioned by lutheran church in Leipzig were all based on bible and were meant for service. There was no stage, all sung by church quire, as per contract. Each cantata was composed of multiple parts, arias, recitatives, chorals, anywhere from 5 to 15 parts lasting anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. No stage was allowed, it was not for entertainment but worship.
Bach was supposed to compose new cantata every week, and reusing old material was expected and tolerated. Not only that, he had to rehers it and conduct it. All that while having more than dozen kids around.
Recycling old melodies was not only a prudent time saver, but a way for the audience to hear a favourite one more time. Remember, the only way to hear a piece was to hear it live in the moment....there was no recorded sound.
