Composed for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity, which fell on June 23, 1723, Bach's Cantata No. 24 "Ein ungefärbt Gemüte" (An unstained mind) (BWV 24) sets a text by the contemporary Lutheran poet Erdmann Neumeister from 1714 in the first five movements and a chorale by Johann Herrmann for the final movement. The cantata is scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, chorus, pairs of oboes switching to pairs of oboe d'amore in the fifth movement, solo trumpet in the third and sixth movements, strings, and basso continuo. The cantata is in F major, with its first and sixth movements in the tonic, its second movement in the subdominant of B flat major, its third movement in the subdominant's relative minor of G minor, its fourth movement in the dominant of C major, and its fifth movement in the dominant's relative minor of A minor. The first movement is an aria in the form of a trio sonata for alto and all the upper strings playing in unison. The second movement is secco recitative for tenor that evolves into a brief arioso in its final bars. The third movement is a monumental movement for chorus and full orchestra that starts with a massive introductory flourish and becomes an Allegro e vivace fugue. The fourth movement is a florid recitative for bass and strings. The fifth movement is an intensely expressive da capo aria for tenor and a pair of oboe d'amore. "Ein ungefärbt Gemüte" concludes with a harmonization of Herrmann's chorale for the entire chorus and orchestra. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide
