- Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig, BWV 644
[1:14]
The last Prelude from Das Orgelbüchlein, this is a breezy portrayal of how fleeting life is. The flowing of waters, the drifting of clouds and
something unspeakably futile about man's ascent and waning, scholars have read all that into this tiny piece. Notice how the grounding Pedal voice
drops out before the last chord. Registration - Chorale: Zwelwerk Octaaf 2' coupled to HW Holpijp 8'; Prelude: add Blokfluit 4' to Zwellwerk, PD
Subbas 16' + Gedekt 8'. Impulse reverberation added.
Instrument:
Vermeulen Brothers Organ at Congregation "Vloedschuur," Heteren, Holland (1959) -
Samples by Hauptwerk.nl
- Chorale Text
German:
Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig
Ist der Menschen Leben!
Wie ein Nebel bald entstehet,
Und bald wiederum vergehet;
So ist unser Leben, sehet!
English:
Oh how futile, how inutile
Is our earthly being!
Tis a mist in wintry weather,
Gathered in an hour together,
And as soon dispersed in ether.
Tr. Sir John Bowring (1st line changed)
Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 1 software
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