Cantata No. 171, "Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm," BWV 171 (BC A24)

Composed for New Year's Day 1729, Bach's Cantata No. 171 "Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm" (God, as Thy Name is, so is Thy praise) (BWV 171) sets a text by Picander from 1728 based on Psalm 48:11 with a closing chorale by Johannes Herman from 1593. The cantata is scored for tenor, alto, soprano, and bass soloists and chorus, strings, and basso continuo plus a pair of oboes in the first, fifth, and final movements and a trio of trumpets plus tympani in the outer movements. "Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm" is almost entirely in celebratory D major with its first, third, fourth, fifth, and final movements in the tonic and only its second movement in the dominant of A major. The first movement is a grand chorale fugue for chorus and full orchestra. The second is a joyful aria in the form of a trio sonata for tenor soloist, violins, and continuo. The third is sorrowful secco recitative for alto soloist and continuo. The fourth is a gracious aria in the form of a trio sonata for soprano soloist, solo cello, and continuo. The fifth is an accompanied recitative for tenor soloist, a pair of oboes, and continuo that blossoms into a fuller texture in the final bars. "Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm" concludes with a harmonization of Herman's chorale for chorus alternating with the full orchestra. Portions of the opening fugue were later incorporated into the Credo of the Mass in B minor.