Composed for Septuagesimae Sunday, which fell on February 6, 1724, Bach's Cantata No. 144 "Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin" (Take what is yours and go) (BWV 144) sets a text by an unknown author whom some scholars suspect was in fact Bach's favorite author, Picander. The opening chorale sets a text from Matthew 20:14, the third movement is based on a chorale by Samuel Rodigast from 1674, and the sixth movement sets a chorale by Markgraf Albrecht von Brandenburg from 1547. The cantata is scored for alto, tenor, and soprano soloists with chorus, strings, basso continuo, and oboe d'amore in the fifth movement. "Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin" is insistently in introverted B minor, with its first, fourth, fifth, and sixth movements in the tonic; its second movement in the minor subdominant of E minor; and its third in the submediant of G major. The first movement is marked concerto, but is a severely worked out fugue for chorus and orchestra. The second is a triple-time da capo aria for alto soloist, strings, and continuo. The third is an austere harmonization of Rodigast's chorale for chorus and orchestra colla parte. The fourth is a mournful secco recitative for tenor soloist and continuo. The fifth is an aria in the form of a trio sonata marked Andante for sorrowful soprano soloist, lyrical oboe d'amore, and continuo. "Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin" concludes with a harmonization of Albrecht's chorale with gracefully expressive inner parts for chorus and orchestra colla parte. ~ All Music Guide
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