The earliest source for the composition is a copied manuscript dated 1768, therefore the date of the composition is not certain. Research leads to a funeral of a former mayor of Mühlhausen on 16 September 1708. The text is a carefully compiled juxtaposition of biblical texts, three quotations from the Old Testament and four from the New Testament, combined with funeral hymns, of which two are sung and one is quoted instrumentally, and some additions by an anonymous author. Bach scored the work for four vocal parts and a small ensemble of Baroque instruments, two recorders, two violas da gamba and continuo. The work is opened by an instrumental Sonatina, followed by through-composed sections which have been assigned to three movements. The structure is symmetrical around a turning point, when the lower voices, who contemplate the Old Covenant, are overcome by a soprano calling for Jesus.
Date of composition | 1708 (1707-1708) |
Dedicated to | Funeral |
Type | Secular Cantata |
Tonality | E-flat Major |
Catalogue | BWV 106 |
Instruments |
2x
Voice
Chorus/Choir Orchestra |
Links | |
Autotranslations beta |
Jean-Sébastien Bach: Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit en mi bémol majeur, BWV 106 "Actus Tragicus" Johann Sebastian Bach: Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit in mi bemolle maggiore, BWV 106 "Actus Tragicus" Johann Sebastian Bach: Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit Es-dur, BWV 106 "Actus Tragicus" |