Composed for the second day of Pentecost, also called Whit Suntide, which fell on May 29, 1724, Bach's Cantata No. 173 "Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut" (Exhaled Flesh and Blood) (BWV 173) sets an anonymous text later published in the Leipziger Kirchenmusik (Leipzig Church Music) of 1731. The cantata is scored for tenor, alto, soprano, and bass soloists and chorus, a pair of transverse flutes, strings, and basso continuo. "Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut" is in D major with its first, second, and sixth movements in the tonic; its third and fifth movements in the relative minor of B minor; and its fourth starts in the subdominant of G major then modulates to the tonic of D major and ends on the dominant of A major. The first movement is a straight recitative for tenor soloist, strings, and continuo, except for the ecstatic melisma on the work erhohtes (exalted) in the penultimate bar. The second is a highly nuanced aria for tenor soloist, transverse flutes, strings, and continuo. The third is an aria marked Vivace for alto soloist, sempre staccato strings, and continuo. The fourth is a dancing triple-time aria for soprano and bass accompanied by obbligato full orchestra that starts as an aria for bass and strings; becomes an aria for soprano, strings, and flutes; and ends as a duet for soprano and bass with full orchestra. The fifth is a highly embellished duetto secco recitative for soprano and tenor soloists and continuo. "Erhöhtes Fleisch und Blut" concludes not with a standard chorale harmonization, but with a chorale setting with the choral sopranos taking the lead embedded in a swaying ritornello for full orchestra.

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