Composed for the Feast of the Purification of Mary from 1724, Bach's Cantata No. 83 "Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde" (Joyful time in the new unification) (BWV 83) sets a text by an anonymous writer based on a passage from the Gospel According to Luke 2:29-31 used in the second movement and ends with a setting of a chorale by Martin Luther from 1524. The cantata is scored for alto, bass, and tenor soloists; chorus; a pair of horns; a pair of oboes; strings; and basso continuo. "Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde" is in F major, but strongly leans toward the minor with its first movement in the tonic and then has a central section in G minor. Its second movement is in B flat, but with a central section in D minor; its third movement is in F major; its fourth in A minor; and its fifth and final movement in the relative minor of D minor. The first movement, unlike most of the opening movements of Bach's cantatas, is a lavishly accompanied da capo aria for alto soloist, full orchestra, and chorus. The second movement is a gentle 6/8 aria in the form of a trio sonata for bass soloist, strings in unison, and continuo enclosing an expressive common-time recitative. The third movement is an aria for ecstatic tenor soloist and a solo violin playing nearly continual triplets above staccato strings and continuo. The fourth is a brief secco recitative for alto soloist and continuo. "Erfreute Zeit im neuen Bunde" concludes with a chromatic harmonization of Luther's chorale for chorus and full orchestra colla parte.

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