What is the difference between chorale and cantata?
The Cantata is a classical form used by several composers including Bach and many others and generally features a core instrumental group (in modern parlance the so-called “rhythm section” of keyboard, bass and drums) and a larger ensemble like an orchestra, and usually a small vocal group and/or a large choir. In the cantata (which is Italian for song-piece) the small group and larger ensemble have creative interplay and the end result was/is often exciting and dramatic (the texts typically feature grand religious themes). J.S. Bach (1685-1750) unsurprisingly was known as the leading exponent of both the chorale and the cantata. He also wrote a lot of (Christian/Catholic) Masses, like Mozart did.
