Composed in Weimar for the Feast of Trinity Sunday, which fell on June 16, 1715, and probably performed again on Trinity Sunday of 1724 in Leipzig, Bach's Cantata No. 165 "O heilges Geist und Wasserbad" (O Holy and Sanctified Fountain) (BWV 165) sets a text by Salomon Franck from 1715 in its first five movements and a chorale by Ludwig Helmbold from 1757 for its final movement. Like most of his cantatas from the Weimar period, "O heilges Geist und Wasserbad" is austerely scored for soprano, bass, alto, and tenor soloists and chorus, strings, and basso continuo. "O heilges Geist und Wasserbad" is in G major with its first, fifth, and sixth movements in the tonic, its third movement in the relative minor of E minor, and its second and fourth movements serving as harmonic bridges. The cantata's first movement, marked concerto, is a remarkable fusion of fugue and rondo for soprano soloist, strings, and continuo. The second movement is a dire secco recitative for bass soloist and continuo. The third movement is a dour aria for alto soloist and continuo. The fourth movement is a placid recitative for bass soloist, strings, and continuo. The fifth movement is an assured aria in the form of a trio sonata for tenor soloist, unison violins, and continuo. "O heilges Geist und Wasserbad" concludes with a straightforward harmonization of Helmbold's chorale for chorus, strings, and continuo. ~ All Music Guide
