Composer

:

Johann Pachelbel

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

before Apr 1706

Publication Date

:

1905

Average_duration

:

8:25

Johann Pachelbel's "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" (What God does is well done) is a sacred vocal work composed in the Baroque era. The piece was composed in 1682 and premiered in Nuremberg, Germany. It is a chorale cantata, which is a musical composition that sets a Lutheran chorale to music. The piece consists of four movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the chorale. The first movement is a chorale fantasia, which features the choir singing the chorale melody in long notes while the orchestra plays a complex and ornate accompaniment. The second movement is a recitative, which is a type of singing that is closer to speech than melody. The third movement is an aria, which is a solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment. The final movement is a chorale setting, which is similar to the first movement but with a simpler accompaniment. The characteristics of "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" reflect the Baroque era's emphasis on elaborate ornamentation and complex counterpoint. Pachelbel's use of the chorale melody as a basis for the work is also typical of the era's sacred music. The piece is notable for its use of contrasting textures and dynamics, with the choir and orchestra often alternating between loud and soft passages. Overall, "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" is a beautiful and complex work that showcases Pachelbel's skill as a composer. Its use of the chorale melody and intricate counterpoint make it a quintessential example of Baroque sacred music.

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