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Today in History: Bach premieres cantata Lobe den Herren BWV 137

8/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 19 August 1725, Johann Sebastian Bach conducted the premiere of his chorale cantata *Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren*, BWV 137, in Leipzig. Written for the twelfth Sunday after Trinity, the piece sets Joachim Neander’s 1680 hymn text unchanged, illustrating Bach’s early-year chorale cantata cycle.

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Story summary

On 19 August 1725, Johann Sebastian Bach conducted the premiere of his chorale cantata *Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren*, BWV 137, in Leipzig. Written for the twelfth Sunday after Trinity, the piece sets Joachim Neander’s 1680 hymn text unchanged, illustrating Bach’s early-year chorale cantata cycle.