The newly born, the little child BWV 122

More than usual, in this chorale cantata the hymn is continuously present; it appears as the cantus firmus in four of the six movements and gives the work an overall unity. In addition to the opening chorus and in the closing chorale, it appears in a trio, a rare occurrence in Bach’s vocal works, and even in a recitative. The latter is performed by recorders. The rich scoring for winds - besides the recorders it also includes three oboes - characterizes this cantata, which is performed after Christmas and whose text refers back to Christmas and also points to the new year.