Bach, Johann Sebastian : He calleth His own sheep each by name

The text of the present cantata was written by Mariane von Ziegler and was set by Bach for the third day of Whitsun in the year 1725.

Bach made considerable alterations to the text when setting it. The pastorale atmosphere is created by three recorders, through the inkoduction of which the opening words from the scripfures become a charming accompagnato; it is followed by an alto aria in the same orchestration – a combination that Bach uses nowhere else.