(Lord Christ, the only Son of God) for soprano, alto, tenor and bass, vocal ensemble, trombone, flauto piccolo, transverse flute, oboe I+II, bassoon, strings and continuo

Cantata 96 on Elisabeth Cruciger’s hymn “Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn” (Lord Christ, the only son of God) opens with an introductory chorus in a style reminiscent of Christmas music; the charming pastoral scene is set in a lively 9/8 metre that is propelled forward by the light, yet accented gestures of the string, oboe and continuo lines. Although Bach used this earnest hymn several times as the closing chorale in his cantatas, here it is lent an emphatically joyful character that is highlighted by the soaring obbligato line of the piccolo flute.