During his first three years at St. Thomas's Church, how many cantatas did Bach write on average each week?

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Prepare for the UCF MUL2010 Enjoyment of Music Exam with multiple-choice questions and flashcards. Understand music theory and history for successful exam results.

During his time at St. Thomas's Church in Leipzig, Johann Sebastian Bach was responsible for providing music for the church services, which included composing cantatas. It is well-documented that during his first three years there, he composed an average of one cantata each week, totaling around 52 cantatas per year. This output aligns with the liturgical calendar, where typically one cantata would be performed each Sunday.

This weekly cadence of creating new work was significant as it demonstrated both Bach's prolific output and his deep commitment to the church and the musical traditions of the time. The average of one cantata a week reflects the routine and demands placed on him as a church musician, highlighting his creativity within the constraints of the liturgical schedule.