Es wartet alles auf dich, BWV 187

Bach structured the cantata in seven movements in two parts, the first three movements to be performed before the sermon, the others after the sermon. The first movement is a choral setting of psalm verses, followed by recitative and aria, the fourth movement is a bass solo on a quotation of Jesus, followed by aria and recitative, and closed by a chorale. Bach scored the work for three vocal soloists (soprano (S), alto (A) and bass (B)), a four-part choir, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble: two oboes (Ob), two violins (Vl), viola (Va), and basso continuo (Bc).[2][7] The duration of the cantata is around 25 minutes.[8]

In the following table of the movements, the scoring follows the Neue Bach-Ausgabe. The keys and time signatures are taken from the Bach scholar Alfred Dürr, using the symbol for common time (4/4).[7] The instruments are shown separately for winds and strings, while the continuo, playing throughout, is not shown.

Movements of Es wartet alles auf dich, Part I

No.	Title	Text	Type	Vocal	Winds	Strings	Key	Time
1	Es wartet alles auf dich	Psalms 104:27–28	Chorus	SATB	2Ob	2Vl Va	G minor
2	Was Kreaturen hält, das große Rund der Welt	anon.	Recitative	B
3	Du, Herr, du krönst allein das Jahr	anon.	Aria	A	Ob	2Vl Va	B-flat major	3/8

Movements of Es wartet alles auf dich, Part II

No.	Title	Text	Type	Vocal	Winds	Strings	Key	Time
4	Darum sollt ihr nicht sorgen	Matthew 6:31–32	Basso solo	B		2Vl	G minor
5	Gott versorget alles Leben	anon.	Aria	S	Ob		E-flat major	3/8
6	Halt ich nur fest an ihm	anon.	Recitative	S
7	Gott hat die Erde zugericht	Vogel	Chorale	SATB	2Ob	2Vl Va	G minor	3/4

The opening chorus is a setting of psalm verses, "Es wartet alles auf dich, daß du ihnen Speise gebest zu seiner Zeit." (These wait all upon You, that you may give them nourishment in due saeson).[8] These verses are often used as a prayer before a meal. Bach achieves a unity of form, but at the same time an individual handling of the four ideas of the text, as in a motet. The motifs of the instrumental sinfonia of 28 measures are continued through most of the movement, creating unity. "Es wartet alles auf dich" (a) is expressed in free polyphony embedded in the instrumental music, then repeated together with "daß du ihnen Speise gibest" (b) in free polyphony with canonic imitation on two themes, with the instruments playing mostly colla parte, then a and b are repeated within a part of the sinfonia, which is continued instrumentally. In the following second section, "Wenn du ihnen gibest …" (c) is the theme of a choral fugue, "Wenn du deine Hand auftust …" (d) is the countersubject. The instruments play colla parte first, then add motifs from the sinfonia. In the third concluding section the complete text is repeated within a part of the sinfonia.[4]

In the first recitative, "Was Kreaturen hält das große Rund der Welt!" (What creatures are contained by the great sphere of the world!),[1] the librettist paraphases ideas from verses 17 to 25 of the same psalm,[3] which praises God as the Creator of the universe.[4]

The first aria addresses God as the sustainer of life: "Du Herr, du krönst allein das Jahr mit deinem Gut." (You Lord, You alone crown the year with Your good.),[1] in a close paraphrase of Psalms 65:12.[3] The alto voice is accompanied by the full orchestra in a dance-rhythm with irregular grouping of measures in the ritornellos.[3]

The fourth and central movement sets the biblical words "Darum sollt ihr nicht sorgen noch sagen: Was werden wir essen, was werden wir trinken" (Therefore, do not be anxious, saying: "What will we eat, what will we drink),[1] from the Sermon on the Mount. Bach gives them to the bass as the vox Christi (voice of Christ), accompanied by the violins in unison and the continuo, which also takes part in their motifs.[9]

The soprano aria, "Gott versorget alles Leben" (God takes care of every life),[1] is in two contrasting parts. The first section is accompanied by festive dotted rhythms and a broad melody of the solo oboe,[10] the second section, marked un poco allegro, is again like a dance. Only the instruments repeat afterwards the dotted rhythm of the beginning.

In the recitative "Halt ich nur fest an ihm mit kindlichem Vertrauen" (If I can only hold onto Him with childlike trust),[1] the last words of the soprano are enriched by the strings, like the vox Christi in Bach's St Matthew Passion.[9]

The final chorale is a four-part setting for the choir and all instruments.[9][11] It features two stanzas of the hymn. The fourth stanza, "Gott hat die Erde zugericht'" (God has provided for the earth) relates to the beginning, God as the Creator, while the sixth stanza, "Wir danken sehr und bitten ihn, daß er uns geb des Geistes Sinn, daß wir solches recht verstehn" (We thank profoundly and pray to Him that He give us the will of His Spirit, that we understand it rightly), expresses thanksgiving,[3] ending on the Latin word "Gratias".[1]