Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1736

Publication Date

:

1736

Average_duration

:

1:48

"Meines Lebens letzte Zeit" (The Last Time of My Life) is a sacred aria composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is also known as "Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke" (I am content with my fortune) and is cataloged as BWV 488. The aria was composed in Leipzig, Germany, in the early 1720s, during Bach's tenure as the cantor of the Thomaskirche. The aria is written for a solo voice accompanied by a continuo, which consists of a bass instrument, such as a cello or bassoon, and a keyboard instrument, such as a harpsichord or organ. The piece is in the key of G major and has a simple A-B-A structure, with each section consisting of eight measures. The aria begins with the solo voice declaring its contentment with its current state of being, stating "I am content with my fortune, I am content with my lot." The second section of the aria describes the speaker's acceptance of death, stating "When my last hour strikes, I will not be afraid, for my Savior will be with me." The final section of the aria returns to the theme of contentment, with the solo voice declaring "I am content with my fortune, I am content with my lot" once again. The piece ends with a brief instrumental coda. The aria is notable for its simple, yet elegant melody and its use of word painting, where the music reflects the meaning of the text. For example, the line "When my last hour strikes" is accompanied by a descending chromatic line, which creates a sense of finality and inevitability. "Meines Lebens letzte Zeit" was likely composed for use in a church service, possibly as part of a cantata or other larger work. The piece has since become a popular selection for solo vocal recitals and has been recorded by numerous artists.

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