A chorale cantata paraphrasing and meditating on the ancient Advent hymn, "Saviour of the Nations Come".

"Soar joyfully aloft". Based on Psalm 24, this cantata in the promised coming of Christ, who is the King of Glory.

A prayer anticipating the coming of the Saviour of the world. Based on the ancient Advent hymn, "Saviour of the Nations, Come".

"Wake, awake, for night is flying". Perhaps the greatest of all the cantatas, based on one of the greatest Lutheran hymns, by Philipp Nicolai. Based on the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25), its subject matter is the love between, and the approaching wedding feast of, Christ and the Church.

"Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!" Since Jesus will soon return to judge the living and the dead, and our lives can end at any moment, Christians ought to be watchful and diligent in prayer - and joyfully confident in the joy Jesus has prepared for them.

"You prince of peace, Lord Jesus Christ". The hymn by Jakob Ebert on which this chorale cantata is based was written as a prayer for peace in time of war. It is an act of repentance over our sins and an entreaty to Jesus, the prince of peace, to bring peace into our present suffering.

"Ah, how fleeting, ah, how insubstantial". A chorale cantata based on a hymn by Michael Franck, which laments the brevity of human life – and therefore placing one’s trust in God and His eternal faithfulness.

"A mighty fortress is our God". A triumphant setting and expansion of Luther’s famous battle hymn of the Reformation.

"I believe, dear Lord, help my unbelief". Drawing on the account of Jesus’ healing of the official’s son in John 4, offering comfort to the weak in faith that whoever trusts in Jesus will never be disappointed.

"Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness". A chorale cantata, setting and expanding one of the great Lutheran communion hymns, by Johann Franck.