Johann Kuhnau’s cantata “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” is based on the chorale of the same name by Philipp Nicolai from 1599 and uses two verses of it in the opening and closing movements. The other texts are based on various biblical passages, but have no direct references to the other chorale verses. Due to the unknown text, the date of composition is also uncertain; but the two horns used, along with the “flauti” in aria no. 4, which are presumably transverse flutes, are an indication o...