What type of piece is "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme?"

"Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" is a cantata composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, specifically BWV 140. A cantata is a vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment, typically comprising several movements, and it is often based on sacred themes. This particular work is structured for a choir and includes passages for soloists and instruments, embodying the characteristics of a cantata with its blend of singing and orchestral music.

The piece is typically performed during the church service, reflecting its liturgical purpose, which aligns with the qualities of a cantata as a musical form intended for worship or reflection. The cantata serves both a musical and a spiritual function, conveying theological messages through its text and music.

In comparing this to the other types of compositions listed, an oratorio, while similar in terms of vocal and orchestral elements, is generally a larger-scale work on a narrative basis and is typically performed in concert settings rather than in a church service context. A symphony is an orchestral work often in several movements but does not typically involve vocal soloists. A sonata is more focused on instrumental music and commonly features a specific structure (exposition, development, recapitulation) without the vocal components that define a cantata.

Therefore