Entfliehet, verschwindet, entweichet, ihr Sorgen, BWV 249a

Johann Sebastian Bach composed Entfliehet, verschwindet, entweichet, ihr Sorgen (Flee, dissolve, fade away, you cares), BWV 249a, later BWV 249.1, as a secular cantata for the birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels, and performed on 23 February 1725. The work is also known as Shepherd Cantata or Shepherds' Cantata (German: Schäferkantate). It was titled Tafel-Music in the publication of the libretto, by Picander, in 1727, suggesting a scenic performance. The score is lost, but could be reconstructed, because Bach used it again in his Easter Oratorio. The work in ten movements is scored for four vocal soloists representing shepherds, a four-part choir and a festive Baroque instrumental ensemble of three trumpets, timpani, two oboes, oboe d'amore, bassoon, two recorders, transverse flute, strings and continuo.