I love Bach’s Ascension Day cantata (BWV 43), composed in 1726, his third year in Leipzig. Festively scored for four vocal soloists, four-part choir, trumpets, timpani, oboe and strings, each of its 11 movements is brief, making it no longer than most of the other cantatas.
I’m particularly fond of the tenor aria, Ja tausend mal tausend begleiten den Wagen (Indeed thousand upon thousands accompany the chariots) with its lilting rhythms. Enjoy this recording by Concentus Musicus Wien, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt.