Composed for the First Sunday after Christmas, which fell on December 30, 1725, Bach's Cantata No. 28 "Gottlob! Nun geht das Jahr zu Ende" (Praise the Lord! The year is drawing to an end; BWV 28) sets a text by Erdmann Neumeister with chorals by Johann Gramann (Nun lob, mein Seel, der Herren) and Paul Eber (Helft mir, Gottes güte Preisen). A short, celebratory work, the cantata is scored for soprano, bass, tenor and alto soloists, chorus, and a very large orchestra consisting of three oboes, strings, and basso continuo, plus three trombones in the two chorale movements. The cantata is in ringing A minor with its first and sixth movements in the tonic; its second, fourth, and fifth movements in the relative major of C major; and its third movement in the minor dominant of E minor. The first movement is a brilliant da capo aria for soprano, oboes, strings, and continuo. The second movement is an Alle breve motet-like setting of Gramann's chorale for chorus and full orchestra. The third movement is an ornately rhetorical recitative for bass and continuo marked Arioso, ma un poco allegro. The fourth movement is a more-restrained recitative for tenor, strings, and continuo that is marked piano. The fifth movement is an imitative duetto in the form of a trio sonata for alto, tenor, and continuo. "Gottlob! Nun geht das Jahr zu Ende" concludes with a harmonization of Eber's chorale for chorus and full orchestra. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide
