CXIV. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #111: "Was mein Gott will, g'scheh allzeit," BWV 111

CXIV. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)

Cantata: "Was mein Gott will, g'scheh allzeit," BWV 111 (1725)
1. Chorus: Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit
2. Aria (bass): Entsetze dich, mein Herze, nicht
3. Recitative (alto): O Törichter! der sich von Gott entzieht
4. Aria (alto, tenor): So geh ich mit beherzten Schritten
5. Recitative (soprano): Drum wenn der Tod zuletzt den Geist
6. Chorale: Noch eins, Herr, will ich bitten dich
J.S. Bach Foundation
Noëmi Sohn-Nad, soprano
Claude Eichenberger, alto
Hans Jörg Mammel, tenor
Peter Harvey, bass
Rudolf Lutz, harpsichord, cond.
(20:58)

Boulanger once told me that if I wanted to understand part-writing -- or for that matter, understand anything about music -- I needed to start with the cantatas. I've taken her at her word and have been working my way through the first 200 -- slowly, but surely.

This is one of 52 chorale cantatas, which are simply cantatas which use a previously written hymn -- in this case, one by Albert, Duke of Prussia, published in 1554.

The original hymn:

Now notice the cantus firmus of the hymn in the soprano part.

And see how Bach ornaments the plainchant with running scales in the continuo and staggered entrances by the singers.

Two arias and recitatives follow, with the final chorus based on the cantus, using the last stanza of the hymn, but richly harmonized for four voices.