(Now thank we all our God), P. 381, is a motet for two four-part choirs by Johann Pachelbel. The composer set for double choir in a first section, followed by the first stanza of the hymn "" with its tune as a cantus firmus. Bärenreiter published the motet in 1954.
History and music Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706), who was church musician at the Predigerkirche in Erfurt from 1678 to 1690, composed the motet , scored for a double chorus and basso continuo. In a first section, the two choirs are used antiphonally for the Biblical text from . This is followed by a chorale setting of the first stanza of the "" that Martin Rinkart based on the same passage. The chorale melody is quoted completely as a cantus firmus in the soprano, on top of three lively voices in polyphony. The motet, as the ten others by the composer including the Psalm settings and , focus on a rich sound of the many voices, but remains simple in melody and harmony. They are intended to serve in church services. The motet can be performed by two groups of musicians at different locations, for a stronger antiphonal effect, and with various instruments reinforcing the voices, or even replacing all voices of the second choir.
Bärenreiter published the motet, with both German and English text, in 1954, edited by Hans Heinrich Eggebrecht. Its 21st edition appeared in 2008. Carus-Verlag published it in German, edited by Dietrich Krüger.
The motet was recorded in 1994 in a collection of motets by Pachelbel, Johann Christoph Bach and Johann Michael Bach by Cantus Cölln, with one voice on a part, conducted by Konrad Junghänel. Robert King wrote an arrangement for four voices, a brass quartet of two trumpets and two trombones and organ.
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