(No. in) BACH
' Was MEIN GOTT WILL, DAS G'SCHEH
ALL-ZEIT
(' WHAT MY GOD WILLS, THAT BE
DONE ALWAY') ')
Relayed from THE MIDLAND
INSTITUTE, Birmingham KATE WINTER (Soprano)
DOROTHY D'ORSAY (Contralto)
TOM PICKERING (Tenor)
ARTHUR CRANMER (Bass)
G. D. CUNNINGHAM (Continuo)
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO CHORUS and ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS
THE text of this Cantata is on a similar motive to ono which
Bach composed no fewer than three times—' What God doth is right and wise.' But the joyous way in which the first chorus is laid out makes it clear that he had in mind no mere resigned submission to the Divine will, but a confident faith in its beneficence. The Chorale itself is a beautiful one and is set forth eloquently by one voice, with the others imitating it closely ; there is a real sense of jubilation in the orchestral accompaniment, the violin part running about on a spirited version of a joyous motive which can often be heard in the Cantatas.
The same spirit of happiness rather than resignation continues in the following bass aria, gracious in its melody, and then, after the alto recitative, there is a fine duet for alto and tenor. In keeping with the words, which tell of the Spirit's gladness in going onwards, the music has something of the character of a joyous, although stately, march. Again the violins have a part which illustrates this sense of happiness.
The chorale at the end, the one which is the real basis of the Cantata, is very beautifully and simply harmonized. I.—Chorus :
What my God wills is right and wise. His Will be done for ever ;
God helpeth him who on Him cries. Whose faith hath falter’d never.
Our woe. our need, He still doth heed, He loveth whom He ehast'neth ;
With God who 'bides, no ill betides, For to his help God hast’neth.
II.—Aria (Bass) :
Oh fear not thou my trusting heart, From out His sight canst not depart, Alway He watche’h o'er thee.
Yea, what His Wisdom hath ordain'd. Despite the world, shall be sustain'd. And sin shall flee before thee.
III.—Recitative (Alto):
Thon foolish man 1 from God thou canst not fly ;
Ev'n Jonah might not hide his sin before th'
All-seeing Eye:
Thy very heart to Him is opened,
Yea, ev’n upon thy head thy hair He numb’reth. Then yield to Him that never slumb’reth, Thyself and all thy going,
Believing in His Word thy hope, thy light, thy refuge knowing.
IV.—Duet (Alto, Tenor) :
Then gladly shall I still go onward.
E'en though to death He lcadetb me. The number of my days He knoweth : His Hand. that o'er me still shall be,
The cruel foeman, Death, o'erthroweth.
V.—Recitative (Soprano) :
Yea, ev'n though Death, relentless. came
To tear my soul from out this mortal frame Receive it. God, into Thy tender keeping; Though Satan. Death, and evil me assail, Yea, tho' my dying pillow Must be a raging billow,
So grant that still my faith In Thee prevail. 0 blessed death. 0 peaceful sleeping 1
VI.—Chorale :
One pray’r, 0 Lord, to Thee I raise, In mercy, Father,. hear me ;
When darkness falls about my ways.
Let still Thy light be near me 1
My shield and sword art Thou, 0 Lord, Thy glory passeth never.
Who prays to Thee, Thy grace shall see, And worship Thee for ever.
(English Text by D. Millar Craig. Copyright
B.B.C., 1929.)