Classical Music for the Seasons Music for the Seasons    

Lesson 10: We Thank You, God, We Thank You

by Johann Sebastian Bach

Performer: Luis Sarro

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Each day, listen to the musical selection.
• Practice reciting the title of the composition and the composer's name.
• Read the synopsis.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Pumpkin pie, stuffing, green bean casserole, family gatherings, and giving thanks for our blessings, November is a month to appreciate our homes and families and to reflect on all that we have. This week, continue to listen to selections that embody gratefulness for home, health, family, and country. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote cantata 'We thank you, God, we thank you' in 1731. A cantata is 'a medium-length narrative piece of music for voices with instrumental accompaniment, typically with solos, chorus, and orchestra.'

Enrichment

Activity 1: Describe the Music

After listening to the music, describe and discuss what you heard.

Read the list of adjectives below. Select those that describe the music or think up additional adjectives.

• Happy
• Sad
• Quiet
• Loud
• Fast
• Slow
• Scary
• Dreamy
• Magical
• Rhythmic
• Dignified

Activity 2: Harvest Discussion

The Thanksgiving holiday was originally celebrated as a way of giving thanks for the fall harvest.

A harvest is when crops that have grown during the summer are gathered up, sold, and/or stored.

Crops might be grown on farms, in community cooperatives, or right in people's back yards.

Food crops in America include:

• Grains such as wheat, corn, and rice
• Vegetables such as carrots, onions, potatoes, lettuce, squash, and pumpkins
• Fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and blueberries
• Beans, peas, and peanuts
• Nuts such as almonds

Activity 3: Harvest Sketch

• One day this week, as you listen to the music, color, draw, or sketch some crops that were gathered up in a harvest.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the music?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The title is 'We Thank You, God, We Thank You.'

1 / 3

Question 2

Who composed the music?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The composer is Johann Sebastian Bach.

2 / 3

Question 3

What is 'We Thank You, God, We Thank You' about?

3 / 3

Answer 3

'We Thank You, God, We Thank You' represents gratitude and thanking the divine.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the title of the music? The title is 'We Thank You, God, We Thank You.'
2. Who composed the music? The composer is Johann Sebastian Bach.
3. What is 'We Thank You, God, We Thank You' about? 'We Thank You, God, We Thank You' represents gratitude and thanking the divine.

References

'We thank you, God, we thank you, BWV 29.' Musopen. Musopen.org. n.p.

'Cantata.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.