cantata
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cantata
A vocal composition in several movements with instrumental accompaniment. Cantatas can have both sacred themes for church services and secular content, and they were especially popular in the Baroque period.
Zu Ostern führte der Chor eine berühmte Kantate von Johann Sebastian Bach auf.
At Easter, the choir performed a famous cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach.
The word comes from the Italian verb 'cantare', which means 'to sing'. A cantata is therefore literally a 'sung piece', which explains its meaning as a piece of vocal music well.
Die Sängerin hat sich auf Musikstücke spezialisiert, die aus dem Italienischen kommen, wie die Kantate.
The singer has specialized in musical pieces that come from Italian, such as the cantata.
In connection with a cantata, the verbs 'aufführen' (to perform), 'komponieren' (to compose), and 'hören' (to hear/listen to) are often used.
Der berühmte Komponist hat über 200 Kantaten komponiert.
The famous composer composed over 200 cantatas.
Cantatas are especially strongly associated with the Baroque period and the composer Johann Sebastian Bach. There is even the word 'Bachkantate' (Bach cantata) for his works.
Viele Kirchenchöre in Deutschland führen an Feiertagen Kantaten von Bach auf.
Many church choirs in Germany perform cantatas by Bach on holidays.
fair / mass
'die Messe' and 'die Kantate' can both be musical works with singing and instruments, especially in a church context. A 'Messe' as a piece of music sets the fixed parts of the Catholic church service to music. So it has a clear religious framework. A 'Kantate' is also a multi-part work with singing, but it can be sacred or secular. It is not tied to the fixed parts of the Mass. The words can be confusing because both often appear in concerts or churches. If it is about music for the Catholic church service, 'Messe' is more precise. If it is about a multi-part vocal work on a specific theme, 'Kantate' is more appropriate.
Mein Vater hört gern eine Kantate von Bach, besonders an ruhigen Sonntagen.
My father likes listening to a cantata by Bach, especially on quiet Sundays.
Im Konzert singt der Chor eine Messe von Mozart.
In the concert, the choir is singing a Mass by Mozart.