Christ ist erstanden/Wär er nicht erstanden/Alleluja

Chorale No. 197

Johann Sebastian Bach · c. 1714–1750 · D minor · 32 bars · 135 chords analysed

Bach harmonised Lutheran hymn tunes in four parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass), mostly to close his church cantatas and Passions so the congregation could recognise the tune. After his death his son C. P. E. Bach gathered about 370 of them into a collection (published 1784–87). They have been the classic way to learn harmony ever since.

Keys visited: D minor, C major, F major, A minor, G minor.