Johann Sebastian Bach composed the church cantata Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis (I had much grief), BWV 21 in Weimar, possibly in 1713, partly even earlier. He used it in 1714 and later for the third Sunday after Trinity of the liturgical year. The work marks a transition between motet style on biblical and hymn text to operatic recitatives and arias on contemporary poetry. Bach catalogued the work as e per ogni tempo (and for all times), indicating that due to its general theme, the cantata is suited for any occasion.
| Librettist | Various (Essentially from the Bible) |
| Date of composition | 1713 (1713-1714;) in Weimar, Germany |
| First published | 1855 in Leipzig, Germany |
| Type | Cantata |
| Tonality | C Minor |
| Catalogue | BWV 21 |
| Approx. duration | 40 minutes |
| Spoken language | German |
| Instruments |
Chorus/Choir
Voice (Soprano) Voice (Tenor) Voice (Bass) Trumpet Timpani Trombone Bassoon Oboe Strings Continuo |
| Arrangements |
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Franz Liszt: Einleitung und Fuge (aus der Motette Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis), S. 660/1
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| Autotranslations beta |
Jean-Sébastien Bach: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis en do mineur, BWV 21 ""I had much affliction"" Johann Sebastian Bach: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis in do minore, BWV 21 ""I had much affliction"" Johann Sebastian Bach: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis c-moll, BWV 21 ""I had much affliction"" |