Composed for the 13th Sunday after Trinity, which fell on August 16, 1725, Bach's Cantata No. 164 "Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet" (You, who call in Christ's name) (BWV 164) sets a text based on Salomon Franck's Evengelishces Andachts-Opffer published in Weimer in 1715. The cantata is scored for tenor, bass, alto, and soprano soloists and chorus, a pair of transverse flutes, an oboe, strings, and basso continuo. "Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet" is a mercilessly minor-keyed cantata in six movements. The first movement is a determined aria for tenor soloists, strings, and continuo in which the soloists and the strings proceed in imitative counterpoint. The second is a chromatic, dramatic secco recitative for bass soloist and continuo. The third is a slow, sad aria in the form of a trio sonata for alto soloist, sighing transverse flutes, and continuo. The fourth is a recitative that blossoms into an arioso at its close for tenor soloist, stings, and continuo. The fifth is a powerful duet aria for soprano and bass soloist in close imitation, transverse flutes, oboe, and continuo. "Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet" concludes with a forthright harmonization of a chorale by Elisabeth Kreuziger for chorus and full orchestra colla parte.

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