Trinitatis XXIV

Trinitatis XXIV is the 24th Sunday after Trinitas, and occurs only if it falls before Advent I. Two Leipziger cantatas for this day, from the first two cantata cycles.

There are two cantatas with the title O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort. This one, BWV 60, was written in 1723 as part of the first cantata cycle; the second one, BWV 20, was written 7 months later for Trinitatis I as part of the chorale cantata cycle. Because indeed the same hymn by Johann von Rist (1607-1667) serves as inspiration for Bach. In this cantata only the first part is based on the hymn; BWV 20 is a chorale cantata so there the hymn plays a more important role.

The readings of the last Trinitatis Sundays all cover the end of time, leading to the Last Judgment, or have readings that symbolise the resurrection. Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig, BWV 26, a hymn by Michael Franck (1609-1667), also evokes the fleeting nature of life.

Music for today

• O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 60
  (first performance 7 November 1723, Leipzig period)
• Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig, BWV 26
  (first performance 19 November 1724, Leipzig period)