Composer

:

Severus Gastorius

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1679

Average_duration

:

2:16

"Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" is a sacred cantata composed by Severus Gastorius, a German composer and organist, in the 17th century. The cantata was written for a four-part choir and instrumental ensemble, and it is based on a hymn of the same name by Samuel Rodigast. The cantata was composed in 1664 and premiered in the same year in the city of Leipzig. It consists of four movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the hymn's text. The first movement is a chorale prelude, in which the choir sings the hymn's first verse in unison while the instrumental ensemble provides a simple accompaniment. The second movement is a fugue, in which the choir sings the hymn's second verse in a complex, contrapuntal texture. The third movement is a recitative, in which a soloist sings the hymn's third verse in a declamatory style, accompanied by the instrumental ensemble. The final movement is a chorale, in which the choir sings the hymn's fourth verse in a homophonic texture, with the instrumental ensemble providing a rich harmonic accompaniment. The characteristics of "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" reflect the style of sacred music in the 17th century. The cantata is characterized by its simple, yet elegant melodies, its use of counterpoint and fugue, and its emphasis on the text of the hymn. The cantata also reflects the Lutheran tradition of chorale-based music, in which the text of a hymn is set to music in a way that emphasizes its meaning and message. Overall, "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" is a beautiful example of sacred music from the 17th century, and it continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences today.

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