The opening chorus is a gapped chorale setting of the tune. The alto, tenor, and bass voices sing free counterpoint, while the sopranos sing the chorale unadorned in long notes. Philipp Spitta described the sound of this movement as a "church-yard full of flowers in the springtime". The setting has a "popular" sound because of the use of 12/8 time and the unique nature of the accompaniment figures: plucked arpeggios, bell tones, and "sinuous" or "lazy" patterns.
| Librettist | Caspar Neumann (1648–1714), chorales |
| Date of composition | 1724 |
| Premiered | 1724, September 24th in Leipzig, Germany |
| First published | 1851 (BGA) |
| Dedicated to | 16th Sunday after Trinity |
| Type | Cantata |
| Tonality | E Major |
| Catalogue | BWV 8 |
| Instruments |
Voice (Soprano)
Voice (Alto) Voice (Bass) Voice (Tenor) Chorus/Choir Orchestra |
| Autotranslations beta |
Jean-Sébastien Bach: Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben? en mi majeur, BWV 8 "Dearest God, when will I die? first version Johann Sebastian Bach: Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben? in mi maggiore, BWV 8 "Dearest God, when will I die? first version Johann Sebastian Bach: Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben? E-dur, BWV 8 "Dearest God, when will I die? first version |