Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 26 |
| Title | Ah how weary, ah how fleeting |
| Composed | 19th November 1724, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | 1. Choir:
Ah how weary, ah how fleeting 2. Aria (Tenor): As fast as rushing waters gush 3. Recitative (Alto): Our joy will be to sadness turned 4. Aria (Bass): Upon earthly treasure the heart to be setting 5. Recitative (Soprano): The highest majesty and pomp 6. 1. Chorale: Ah how weary, ah how fleeting |
| Category | Spiritual Cantata |
| Event | Twentyforth Sunday after Trinity |
| Author of text | Michael Franck 1652 |
| Text 1. Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Horn Travers flute Oboe I + II + III Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo (Cantus firmus in Soprano) |
Ah how weary, ah how fleeting Is the life of mortals! As a mist which quickly riseth And again as quickly passeth, Even thus our life is, witness! |
| 2. Aria: Tenor solo Travers flute solo Violin solo Basso continuo |
As fast as rushing waters gush, So hasten on our days of living. The time doth pass, the hours hasten, Just as the raindrops quickly break up When all to the abyss doth rush. |
| 3. Recitative: Alto solo Basso continuo |
Our joy will be to sadness turned, Our beauty falleth like a flower, The greatest strength will be made weak, Transformed will be good fortune all in time, Soon is the end of fame and honor, What scholarship and what mankind contriveth Will at the last the grave extinguish. |
| 4. Aria: Bass solo Oboe I + II + III Basso continuo |
Upon earthly treasure the heart to be setting Is but a seduction of our foolish world. How easily formed are the holocaust's embers, What thunder and power have waters in floodtime Till all things collapse into ruin and fall. |
| 5. Recitative: Soprano solo Basso continuo |
The highest majesty and pomp Are veiled at last by death's dark night. Who almost as a god was honored Escapes the dust and ashes not, And when the final hour striketh In which he to the earth is carried And his own height's foundation falls, Is he then quite forgotten. |
| 6. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Horn Travers flute Oboe I + II + III Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Ah how weary, ah how fleeting |
| Epistle | Colossians 1: 9-14 |
| Gospel | Matthew 9: 18-26 |
| YouTube | Video 1; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 1. Choir; 2. Aria Video 2; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 3. Recitative; 4. Aria; 5. Recitative; 6. Chorale |
| Manuscript | Thomasschool, Leipzig |