This is a densely compact setting, packing much into its twelve bars. The chorale is embellished in the right hand, ornamented, with highly expressive moments of pathos, and accompanied by motivically tightly-knit three parts, marked by chromatic fourths—the interval filled in—usually implying grief. The pedal and tenor are often in dialogue with each other, sometimes moving in contrary motion. The text is about gratitude for the preservation and protection of another year. The marked affect of grief in this setting has invited speculation, but there may be a concrete reason—two of Bach’s children, twins, died in 1713, the ‘alte Jahr’ (see Williams 2003 p.265).

from notes by George Parsons © 2019