From St. Ann's Church, Manchester
S.B. from Manchester
'Was GOTT THUT DAS IST
WOHLGETHAN'
(' What God doth, that is surely right')
GLADYS SWEENEY (Soprano)
CONSTANCE FELPTS (Contralto)
ARTHUR WILKES (Tenor)
REGINALD WHITEHEAD (Bass)
THE ST. ANN'S CHURCH CHOIR
THE NORTHERN WIRELESS
ORCHESTRA
Conducted by T. H. MORRISON
GEORGE PRITCHARD at the Organ
BACH lift three Cantatas on this text. designed for different Sundays in the Church year. All three belong to a group of fifteen composed between 1728 and 1734, and though all are cast in a similar form—simple chorale cantata—each has its own individual character. That is true even of those which are based on the same text. In the opening chorus the melody of the chorale is sung by the soprano voices, accompanied by the others, and by independent instrumental parts. In No. 98, the melody of the Chorale, Bung at the end in its simple form, is changed in the first chorus into a triple rhythm.
The instruments used In the accompaniment are two oboes and taille (the now obsolete tenor oboe, usually replaced by cor anglais), along with the usual strings and organ. There is a melodious oboe obbligato to the soprano aria. and all the violins in unison accompany the fifth number, a bass aria. Elsewhere the winds are used merely to reinforce the voices...
The Chorale. sung at the end. is borrowed from Cantata No. 100. the third for which. Bach used the same hymn. As he left No. 98, it came to an end with the bass aria, an unusual and unsatisfactory close.
The text is reprinted from Professor
Sandford Terry 's ' J.S. Bach Cantata Texts, Sacred and Secular,' by kind permission of Messrs. Constable and Co., Ltd.
I.— Chorus.
What God- doth, surely that is right, His Word's a rock and bideth.
Where'er He guideth, day and night, My heart in Him confideth. He is my God,
Doth help afford
When foes are on me pressing. So evermore I'll trust Him.
II.—Recitative (Tenor).
My God. when wilt Thou rescue me from this world's misery. my anxious fears allaying ? How long here must I, day and night, to Thee kneel crying Is rescue not at hand The Lord of Hosts doth by them stand who in His might and loving heart are trustful. My hopes now therefore will I stake on One 80 sure and faithful ; for ne'er will He His own forsake.
III.— Aria (Soprano).
Cease, sad eyelids, cease your mourning Lo, I bear
Undismayed my yoke of caret God our Father liveth e'er,
Ne'er forgetting, loved ones blessing.
IV.—Recitative (Alia).
God hath a heart that still with pity overflows, and when to Him the soul tormented cries to ease Its ailing smart. He loving to the call replies. God softened his heart. His mercy and His care no limit know. He gives His word : who knocketh firm in faith, to him the door stands wide. lie sure our voice is heard when in our direct need we raise it, and beg of God His strength to stay it.
V.—Aria (Bats).
Never Jesus will I leave
Till He shall upon me breathe
Words of comfort and His blessing.
. He alone
As my Saviour will I own
'Gainst all foes my peace molesting.
VI.—Chorale. ?-..., What God doth, that alone is right; Therewith will I content me.
Though trouble's ever in my sight And pain and death are sent me. My Father's care
. Is ever near.
His strong right arm doth shield me. To Him I trusting yield me.