Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan by J.S. Bach
Feeling a little (or a lot) blue? Listen to this and you're pretty much guaranteed a respite, a smile, a moment of all's-right-with-the-world.
It's not just the magnificently uplifting music you will hear; it's not just the touching and hopeful text; it's these and much more all wrapped together and tied with a bow in a live performance by a wonderful group of young singers and players, a blessing for the rest of us as we make our way through these unprecedented and oh-so-challenging times.
The first movement of Bach's Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan (BWV 99) begins with a sinfonia for strings. Just as we're settling back to hear how this charming and uplifting music will develop, a flute and an oboe enter, and we find ourselves listening to a concerto grosso. And then a solo voice begins a long-note chorale melody, lower voices provide active accompaniment, and we realize that this is a cantata!
It's so hard to describe the effects which music has on us, but as for the present instance, I'll take a stab: A quiet elation comes over me. I have listened to and watched the video so many times over the past few weeks, and it never fails to produce the effect. I have long loved this music--we performed the first movement in our 'Jahrgang II' concert in 2010, and the entire cantata in 2016--but there's something in this performance which just puts it over the top.
Is it the wonderful acoustics and visual character of the church? Is it the virtuosic but somehow warm and friendly playing and singing? Is it just the right tempo, exactly the right ensemble, perhaps a certain slant of light streaming through the windows? The glances and small smiles and graceful movements of the performers?
I don't know for sure, but I know magic when I see and hear it.
Take a look at the chorale text here. (In this movement, we're hearing Bach 's setting of the first verse.) It is so confident, so reassuring, so filled with knowledge that God will provide, will do things well. I find it inspiring, but also a little intimidating, knowing that I don't have the poet's utter faith.
But the music bridges the gap, most especially when performed with such a combination of talent, love and devotion. Bach is often called the 'Fifth Evangelist' for a reason. This will sound corny, but it's an absolutely accurate description of what I experience: The message flies directly to the heart on the wings of song. In the words of Wendell Berry, when I am enveloped by this music, 'for a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free'.
It's a gift. It's better than alcohol or drugs. It's free. You can share it with your friends. It's not fattening.
What could be better than resting in the grace of the world?
It's not just the magnificently uplifting music you will hear; it's not just the touching and hopeful text; it's these and much more all wrapped together and tied with a bow in a live performance by a wonderful group of young singers and players, a blessing for the rest of us as we make our way through these unprecedented and oh-so-challenging times.
The first movement of Bach's Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan (BWV 99) begins with a sinfonia for strings. Just as we're settling back to hear how this charming and uplifting music will develop, a flute and an oboe enter, and we find ourselves listening to a concerto grosso. And then a solo voice begins a long-note chorale melody, lower voices provide active accompaniment, and we realize that this is a cantata!
It's so hard to describe the effects which music has on us, but as for the present instance, I'll take a stab: A quiet elation comes over me. I have listened to and watched the video so many times over the past few weeks, and it never fails to produce the effect. I have long loved this music--we performed the first movement in our 'Jahrgang II' concert in 2010, and the entire cantata in 2016--but there's something in this performance which just puts it over the top.
Is it the wonderful acoustics and visual character of the church? Is it the virtuosic but somehow warm and friendly playing and singing? Is it just the right tempo, exactly the right ensemble, perhaps a certain slant of light streaming through the windows? The glances and small smiles and graceful movements of the performers?
I don't know for sure, but I know magic when I see and hear it.
Take a look at the chorale text here. (In this movement, we're hearing Bach 's setting of the first verse.) It is so confident, so reassuring, so filled with knowledge that God will provide, will do things well. I find it inspiring, but also a little intimidating, knowing that I don't have the poet's utter faith.
But the music bridges the gap, most especially when performed with such a combination of talent, love and devotion. Bach is often called the 'Fifth Evangelist' for a reason. This will sound corny, but it's an absolutely accurate description of what I experience: The message flies directly to the heart on the wings of song. In the words of Wendell Berry, when I am enveloped by this music, 'for a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free'.
It's a gift. It's better than alcohol or drugs. It's free. You can share it with your friends. It's not fattening.
What could be better than resting in the grace of the world?