Bach Cantata

We’ve had some fun with the title of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cantata 100 , "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" III (What God does is well done). What God does is not always well done, often it is rare but never medium. This Cantata is the third in a set of three of the same title. Cantata’s 98 and 99 have the same theme and title but different hymn verse texts. This cantata’s text makes the obvious explicit. Each movement begins with “What God does is well done” (the obvious) and then further explains the greatness of God’s work (the explicit) through the heavenly compositional craft of J.S. Bach

The Song of Praise a duet, for alto and tenor and continuo duet (celli and organ) is musically resplendent in vocal imitation. After the opening affirmation, “What God does is well done,” the explicit meaning is that God leads and does not trick us into belief. We can “enjoy” God’s mercy, calmly, and patiently. Here, Luther’s theology unites with Aristotle– patience and deferred gratification is “morality!”

The Sequence music is a sublime soprano aria accompanied by continuo and a virtuosic flute solo part. The 6/8 meter of the movement gives it a dance-like feel. In this text, the explicit meaning of “well done” is that God is the faithful healer (doctor) and we (the patient) trust in God’s healing grace.

The center-piece of a Bach cantata is the chorus with full orchestra which we sing at the Offertory. It is in essence a Baroque Concerto. Full orchestra (Ritornello) alternates with a trio sonata (solo flute, oboe and violin) introducing choral phrases that harmonically embellish the hymn tune and text. Here we see the influence on Bach of the Baroque concerto master, Antonio Vivaldi! The text’s explanation of “well done” is our knowing that God is righteous and we must stay out of the way, giving a path for God’s rule– a perfect uniting of the Cantata’s theme with this Christ the King Sunday.

Thus far, the cantata is musically buoyant with uplifting texts. At the communion, an alto aria with obbligato oboe captures some "bitterness" as the text admits that God’s well done way includes our physical death, but the lilting 12/8 meter word-paints the promise of eternal life. The work of God’s Son is explicitly “well done” in the gift of salvation.

The postlude’s closing chorale for choir and orchestra presents the entire hymn text, much as stated in the Offertory's chorus- “just stay out the way of God’s rule” which is obviously “well done!”

- Douglas Starr, Director of Music and Arts