Bach: Cantata No. 26 “Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig” / Nikolaus Harnoncourt

“Oh how fleeting, oh how trivial. Is the life of man! As a mist soon arises and soon vanishes again. So is life, behold!”. The piece opens with a chorale singing about the transience of life. The soprano sings the chorale melody, and the other voices add counter-melody. The second piece is a tenor aria, “So schnell ein rauschend Wasser schießt. The flute and violin sound shapes are impressive, representing the speed of flowing water. Following the alto recitative, the bass aria “An irdische Schätze das Herze zu hängen, Ist eine Verführung der törichten Welt (To hang one’s heart on earthly treasures,Is a seduction of the foolish world)” is accompanied by three oboes and basso continuo (bassoon) with the Dancing-like-Rhythm. Despite the lyrics, the song is truly humorous and enjoyable. The soprano recitative is followed by the chorale “Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig,” again, still concludes with a song about the transience of fleeting life. #baroque #bach #cantata #片山俊幸