The cantata is based upon the hymn "Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig", versed and composed by Michael Franck in 1652. The tune was later edited by Johann Crüger. It is the only time Bach used this hymn, except BWV 644 (Orgelbüchlein). Its theme, the transience of human life, is the only connection to the prescribed gospel reading. The first and last stanza are used unchanged in both text and tune: the former is treated as a chorale fantasia, the latter as a four-part closing chorale. An unknown librettist paraphrased the inner stanzas as arias and recitatives. Bach scored the cantata for four vocal soloists, a four-part choir, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of horn, flute, three oboes, strings and continuo.
Date of composition | 1724 in Leipzig, Germany |
First published | 1855 in Leipzig, Germany |
Type | Cantata |
Tonality | A Minor |
Catalogue | BWV 26 |
Approx. duration | 19 minutes |
Spoken language | German |
Instruments |
Chorus/Choir
Voice (Soprano) Voice (Alto) Voice (Tenor) Voice (Bass) Flute Oboe Horn Strings Continuo |
Autotranslations beta |
Jean-Sébastien Bach: Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig en la mineur, BWV 26 ""Ah! how fleeting, ah! how futile"" Johann Sebastian Bach: Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig in la minore, BWV 26 ""Ah! how fleeting, ah! how futile"" Johann Sebastian Bach: Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig a-moll, BWV 26 ""Ah! how fleeting, ah! how futile"" |