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The musical diversity of Bach‟s body of works is more comprehensive than any other composer of his time. 1 During his life and the 79 years following his death, many of his greatest works for voice were not known or recognized by the world for their greatness. Mendelssohn‟s revival of St. Matthew Passion was the event that opened the flood gates to wide appreciation of Bach‟s vocal works. His life was spent in six areas: Lüneberg, Arnstadt, Müllhausen,Weimar, Cöthen and Leipzig. His compositions are distinguished by the times and areas that he lived. These early compositions were written in Arnstadt and Müllhausen in his 21 st or 22 nd year. They were written for specific events rather than church services or Holidays as were the cantatas of his post-Weimar cantatas. They also used Bible texts, hymnbook texts, and occasionally free poetry for the libretti. There are eight different cantatas that we know of from that early period of his life.