As an expert in the field of music history, particularly with a focus on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, I can provide an in-depth answer to your question regarding the number of church cantatas he composed.

Johann Sebastian Bach, a towering figure in the world of Baroque music, is renowned for his prolific output and immense contribution to the development of Western classical music. Among his vast repertoire, the church cantatas hold a significant place. These compositions were primarily written for the Lutheran church services and were performed during the liturgical year.

Bach's cantatas are a testament to his genius in combining sacred texts with music to create a deeply moving and spiritual experience. They were composed for various occasions such as Sundays, feast days, and funerals, and they vary in form from simple settings for a few voices and instruments to more complex works that include a full ensemble.

The Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV), compiled by Wolfgang Schmieder, is the standard catalog of Bach's works. In this catalog, the church cantatas are numbered from BWV 1 to BWV 200. However, it is important to note that not all of these numbers correspond to actual compositions by Bach. Some of the works listed are either lost or have been attributed to him by later scholars without definitive proof.

The number of church cantatas that can be definitively attributed to Bach is approximately 200. Many of these have survived and are still performed today, offering listeners a glimpse into the rich musical and theological world of the Baroque era. These cantatas are characterized by their intricate counterpoint, expressive melodies, and the skillful use of the choir and soloists.

It is also worth mentioning that in addition to the sacred cantatas, Bach composed secular cantatas as well, which are numbered BWV 201 to BWV 216 in the BWV catalog. There are also a small number of cantatas where Bach's authorship is doubtful, numbered BWV 217 to BWV 224.

In conclusion, while the exact number of church cantatas composed by Bach may be a subject of some debate due to the loss of some works and the attribution of others, it is generally accepted that he wrote around 200 church cantatas. These works are a cornerstone of his legacy and continue to be celebrated for their beauty, complexity, and spiritual depth.

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Bach wrote more than 200 cantatas, of which many have survived. In the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV), Wolfgang Schmieder assigned them each a number within groups: 1-C200 (sacred cantatas), 201-C216 (secular cantatas), 217-C224 (cantatas where Bach's authorship is doubtful).read more >>