Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit, BWV 111

{{Short description|1725 cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach}} {{good article}} {{Italic title|string=Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}} {{Infobox Bach composition | title = {{lang|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}} | bwv = 111 | type = Chorale cantata | image = Lucas Cranach d.Ä. - Bildnis des Markgrafen Albrecht von Brandenburg-Ansbach (Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum).jpg | caption = Albert, Duke of Prussia, author of the hymn | occasion = {{nowrap|Third Sunday after Epiphany}} | performed = {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1725|01|21|df=y}}|location=Leipzig}} | movements = 6 | chorale = {{based on|"{{langr|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}}"|Albert, Duke of Prussia}} | vocal = SATB choir and solo | instrumental = {{hlist | 2 oboes | 2 violins | viola | continuo }} }} '''{{lang|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}}''' (What my God wants, may it always happen),{{sfn|Chorale text|2006}} '''{{abbr|BWV|Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (catalogue of Bach's works)}}{{nbsp}}111''', is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach for use in a Lutheran service. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig in 1725 for the third Sunday after Epiphany and first performed it on 21 January 1725, as part of his chorale cantata cycle. It is based on the hymn of the same name by Albert, Duke of Prussia, published in 1554, on the topic of the Christian's acceptance of God's will.

The cantata is part of Bach's chorale cantata cycle, the second cycle during his tenure as {{langr|de|Thomaskantor}} that began in 1723. In the style of the cycle, an unknown poet retained the outer stanzas for framing choral movements and paraphrased the inner stanzas into four movements for soloists, alternating arias and recitatives. Bach scored the work for four vocal soloists, a four-part choir and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of two oboes, strings and basso continuo.

== History, hymn and words == When Bach composed {{lang|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}}, he was in his second year as ''Thomaskantor'' (director of church music) in Leipzig. During his first year, beginning with the first Sunday after Trinity 1723, he had written a cycle of cantatas for the occasions of the liturgical year. In his second year he composed a second annual cycle of cantatas, which was planned to consist exclusively of chorale cantatas, each based on one Lutheran hymn. It included ''Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit''.{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}}

Bach wrote the cantata for the Third Sunday after Epiphany.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2025}} The prescribed readings for the Sunday were taken from the Epistle to the Romans, rules for life ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Romans|chapter=12|verse=17|range=–21}}), and from the Gospel of Matthew, the healing of a leper ({{Sourcetext|source=Bible|version=King James|book=Matthew|chapter=8|verse=1|range=–13}}).{{sfn|Bach Digital|2025}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=200}}

The cantata text is based on "Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit", a hymn in four stanzas,  three of which were written by Albert, Duke of Prussia,{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}} who introduced the Reformation into Prussia,{{sfn|Hofmann|2006}} while an anonymous hymnwriter added the final stanza already in the first publication in 1554.{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}}{{sfn|Chorale text|2006}} In the typical format of Bach's chorale cantatas, the first and last stanza are retained unchanged, while an unknown librettist paraphrased the inner stanzas to texts for recitatives and arias. In this case, he transcribed rather freely each stanza of the hymn to a sequence of aria and recitative.{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=206}} Similar to Bach's cantata for the same occasion in the first cycle, {{lang|de|''Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir'', BWV 73 |italic=unset}}, the text deals with the Christian's acceptance of God's will.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=206}}

Bach conducted the Thomanerchor in the first performance on 21 January 1725.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2025}}

== Music == === Structure and scoring === Bach structured {{lang|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}} in six movements. Both the text and the tune of the hymn are retained in the outer movements, a chorale fantasia and a four-part closing chorale. Bach scored the work for four vocal soloists (soprano S, alto (A), tenor (T) and bass (B)), a four-part choir, and a Baroque instrumental ensemble of two oboes (Ob), two violin parts (Vl), a viola part, and basso continuo.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2025}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|pp=204–205}} The duration is given as 22 minutes.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=204}}

In the following table of the movements, the scoring, keys and time signatures are taken from Alfred Dürr's standard work {{lang|de|Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach}}.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2025}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|pp=204–205}} The continuo, which plays throughout, is not shown.

{{Classical movement header | show_text_source = no | work = {{lang|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}} | instruments1 = Winds | instruments2 = Strings }} {{Classical movement row | id = m1 | number = 1 | title = {{langr|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}} | type = Chorale fantasia | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = 2Ob | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = {{nowrap|A minor}} | time = {{music|alla-breve}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m2 | number = 2 | title = {{langr|de|Entsetze dich, mein Herze, nicht}} | type = Aria | vocal = B | instruments1 = | instruments2 = | key = A minor | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m3 | number = 3 | title = {{langr|de|O Törichter! der sich von Gott entzieht}} | type = Recitative | vocal = A | instruments1 = | instruments2 = | key = B minor | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m4 | number = 4 | title = {{langr|de|So geh ich mit beherzten Schritten}} | type = Aria | vocal = A T | instruments1 = | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = G major | time = {{music|time|3|4}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m5 | number = 5 | title = {{langr|de|Drum wenn der Tod zuletzt den Geist}} | type = Recitative | vocal = S | instruments1 = 2Ob | instruments2 = | key = | time = {{music|common-time}} }} {{Classical movement row | id = m6 | number = 6 | title = {{langr|de|Noch eins, Herr, will ich bitten dich}} | type = Chorale | vocal = SATB | instruments1 = 2Ob | instruments2 = 2Vl Va | key = A minor | time = {{music|time|3|2}} }} {{End}}

=== Movements === ==== 1 ==== In the opening chorus, "{{langr|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}}" (Whatever my God wills, may that happen always),{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=204}} the soprano sings the melody of the chorale{{sfn|Chorale melody|2009}} as a {{lang|la|cantus firmus}} in long notes. The melody appears in a combination of phrases of different lengths, two measures alternating with three measures. Bach used a simpler version of the melody, with all phrases of measures, when he used the first stanza as movement 25 in his ''St Matthew Passion''.{{sfn|Mincham|2010}} In the cantata, the lower voices prepare each entrance by imitation, sometimes repeating the line to the soprano's long final note. The vocal parts are embedded in an independent orchestral concerto of the oboes, the strings and at times even the continuo.{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}}{{sfn|Hofmann|2006}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=205}}

==== 2 ==== The second movement is a bass aria accompanied only by the continuo, "{{langr|de|Entzetze dich, mein Herze, nicht,}}" (Do not recoil, my heart).{{sfn|Dellal|2025}} The librettist retained the second line from the hymn unchanged, "{{langr|de|Gott ist dein Trost und Zuversicht}}" (God is your comfort and confidence),{{sfn|Dellal|2025}} which Bach treated by using the chorale tune for both the quotation and the free continuation "{{langr|de|und deiner Seelen Leben}}" (and the life of your soul).{{sfn|Hofmann|2006}}{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=206}}{{sfn|Dellal|2025}}

==== 3 ==== The third movement is an alto secco recitative, "{{langr|de|O Törichter! der sich von Gott entzieht}}" (O fool! that pulls away from God).{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=206}}{{sfn|Dellal|2025}}

==== 4 ==== The fourth movement is a duet of alto and tenor, "{{langr|de|So geh ich mit geherzten Schritten, auch wenn mich Gott zum Grabe führt}}" (Thus I walk with encouraged steps, even when God leads me to my grave),{{sfn|Dellal|2025}} accompanied by the strings.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=206}} The steps are taken together in 3/4 time, as Julian Mincham described it: "in a minuet of a strongly assertive and confident character. But this should not surprise us; we have seen how Bach often takes suite rhythms, particularly minuet and gavotte, to represent the civilized movements of souls progressing towards heaven".{{sfn|Mincham|2010}}

==== 5 ==== The fifth movement is a soprano recitative, accompanied by the two oboes, "{{langr|de|Drum wenn der Tod zuletzt den Geist noch mit Gewalt aus seinem Körper reißt}}" (Therefore, when death in the end powerfully wrenches the spirit out of its body).{{sfn|Dellal|2025}} It stresses the final words "{{langr|de|O seliges, gewünschtes Ende!}}" (O blessed, desired end!){{sfn|Dellal|2025}} in an arioso.{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=206}}

==== 6 ==== The closing chorale, "{{langr|de|Noch eins, Herr, will ich bitten ich}}" (One more thing, Lord, would I beg of you),{{sfn|Dürr|Jones|2006|p=205}} is a "simple but powerful four-part setting" of the last stanza, according to Bach scholar Klaus Hofmann.{{sfn|Hofmann|2006}}{{sfn|Dahn|2025}} Possibly Bach drew the setting from one of his collections, instead of writing a new composition.{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}}

== Manuscripts and publication == Bach's son Wilhelm Friedemann Bach inherited the autograph score which he passed in the 1750s to Johann Georg Nacke, a kantor who performed the work in Oelsnitz. The score reached the Königliche Bibliothek zu Berlin in 1904. Due to moves during World War II, it is now held by the Jagiellonian Library in Kraków. Although Bach's widow passed the parts that she inherited to the city of Leipzig in 1750, they have been lost.{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}}

The cantata was first published in 1876 in the first complete edition of Bach's work, the Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe. The volume in question was edited by Alfred Dörffel.{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}}{{sfn|Bach Digital|2025}} In the Neue Bach-Ausgabe it was published in 1996,{{sfn|Leisinger|2004}} edited by Ulrich Leisinger.{{sfn|Bach Digital|2025}}

== Recordings == The recordings are taken from the listing on the Bach Cantatas Website.{{sfn|Oron|2024}} Ensembles playing period instruments in historically informed performances are shown with a green background. {{Cantata discography header | work={{lang|de|Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit}} | instruments={{abbr|Instr.|Type of instruments}} }}

{{Cantata discography row | id = Ramin | title = ''Bach Made in Germany Vol. 1 – Cantatas II'' | conductor = {{sortname|Günther|Ramin}} | choir = Thomanerchor | orchestra = Gewandhausorchester | soloists = {{plainlist| * Agnes Giebel * Annegret Häussler * Gert Lutze * Johannes Oettel }} | label = Eterna | year = 1953 | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Thomas | title = ''Bach Made in Germany Vol. 2 – Cantatas IV'' | conductor = {{sortname|Kurt|Thomas|dab=composer}} | choir = Thomanerchor | orchestra = Gewandhausorchester | soloists = {{plainlist| * Elisabeth Grümmer * Marga Höffgen * Hans-Joachim Rotzsch * Theo Adam }} | label = Eterna | year = 1960 | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Richter | title = ''Bach Cantatas Vol. 1 – Advent and Christmas'' | conductor = {{sortname|Karl|Richter|dab=conductor|}} | choir = Münchener Bach-Chor | orchestra = Münchener Bach-Orchester | soloists = {{plainlist| Edith Mathis * Anna Reynolds * Peter Schreier * Theo Adam }} | label = Archiv Produktion | year = 1972 | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Rilling | title = {{lang|de|Die Bach Kantate Vol. 23}} | conductor = {{sortname|Helmuth|Rilling}} | choir = Gächinger Kantorei | orchestra = Bach-Collegium Stuttgart | soloists = {{plainlist| * Arleen Augér * Helen Watts * Lutz-Michael Harder * Philippe Huttenlocher }} | label = Hänssler | year = {{Start date|1980}} | orchestra_type = }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Harnoncourt | title = ''J. S. Bach: Das Kantatenwerk • Complete Cantatas • Les Cantates, Folge / Vol. 6'' | conductor = {{sortname|Nikolaus|Harnoncourt}} | choir = Tölzer Knabenchor | orchestra = Concentus Musicus Wien | soloists = {{plainlist| * soloist of the Tölzer Knabenchor * Paul Esswood * Kurt Equiluz * Ruud van der Meer }} | label = Teldec | year = {{Start date|1981}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Leusink | title = ''Bach Edition Vol. 5 – Cantatas Vol. 2'' | conductor = {{sortname|Pieter Jan|Leusink}} | choir = Holland Boys Choir | orchestra = Netherlands Bach Collegium | soloists = {{plainlist| * Ruth Holton * Sytse Buwalda * Nico van der Meel * Bas Ramselaar }} | label = Brilliant Classics | year = {{Start date|1999}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Gardiner | title = ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas for the 3rd Sunday of Epiphany'' | conductor = {{sortname|John Eliot|Gardiner}} | choir = Monteverdi Choir | orchestra = English Baroque Soloists | soloists = {{plainlist| * Joanne Lunn * Sara Mingardo * Julian Podger * Stephen Varcoe }} | label = Archiv Produktion | year = {{Start date|2000}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Koopman | title = ''J. S. Bach: Complete Cantatas Vol. 12'' | conductor = {{sortname|Ton|Koopman}} | orchestra = Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir | soloists = {{plainlist| * Lisa Larsson * Annette Markert * Christoph Prégardien * Klaus Mertens }} | label = Antoine Marchand | year = {{Start date|2000}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{Cantata discography row | id = Suzuki | title = ''J. S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 32 – BWV 111, 123, 124, 125'' | conductor = {{sortname|Masaaki|Suzuki}} | orchestra = Bach Collegium Japan | soloists = {{plainlist| * Yukari Nonoshita * Robin Blaze * Andreas Weller * Peter Kooy }} | label = BIS | year = {{Start date|2005}} | orchestra_type = Period }} {{End}}

== References ==

=== Cited sources === * {{cite web | url = http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000136?lang=en | title = Was mein Gott will, das gscheh allzeit BWV 111; BC A 36 | website = Bach Digital | date = 2025 | access-date = 24 January 2025 | ref = {{sfnref|Bach Digital|2025}} }} * {{cite web | last = Dahn | first = Luke | url = http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0111_6.htm | title = BWV 111.6 | date = 2025 | website = bach-chorales.com | access-date = 25 January 2025 }} * {{cite web | last = Dellal | first = Pamela | author-link = Pamela Dellal | url = https://www.emmanuelmusic.org/bach-translations/bwv-111 | title = BWV 123 – Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit | publisher = Emmanuel Music | date = 2025 | access-date = 25 January 2025 }} * {{cite book | last1 = Dürr | first1 = Alfred | author1-link = Alfred Dürr | last2 = Jones | first2 = Richard D. P. | author2-link = Richard D. P. Jones | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=m9JuwslMcq4C&pg=PA204 | chapter = Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit, BWV 123 | title = The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text | location = Oxford | publisher = Oxford University Press | date = 2006 | pages = 204–206 | isbn = 978-0-19-969628-4 }} * {{cite web | last = Hofmann | first = Klaus | author-link = Klaus Hofmann | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Pic-Rec-BIG/Suzuki-C32c%5BBIS-SACD1501%5D.pdf | title = Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit / What my God wants, may it always happen, BWV 111 | work = Bach Cantatas website | pages = 5 | date = 2006 | access-date = 19 January 2012 }} * {{cite book | last = Leisinger | first = Ulrich | author-link = Ulrich Leisinger | url = https://www.carusmedia.com/images-intern/medien//30/3111100/3111100x.pdf | chapter = Foreword | title = Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit / God's will is best, it shall be done / BWV 111 | publisher = Carus-Verlag | date = May 2004 | page = 4 | access-date = 26 January 2025 }} * {{cite web | last = Mincham | first = Julian | url = https://www.jsbachcantatas.com/documents/chapter-36-bwv-111 | title = Chapter 36 BWV 111 Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit | website = jsbachcantatas.com | date = 2010 | access-date = 20 January 2012 }} * {{cite web | last = Oron | first = Aryeh | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV111.htm | title = Cantata BWV 111 Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit | work = Bach Cantatas website | date = 2024 | access-date = 25 January 2025 }} * {{cite web | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale077-Eng3.htm | title = Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit / Text and Translation of Chorale | work = Bach Cantatas website | date = 2006 | access-date = 17 January 2012 | ref = {{sfnref|Chorale text|2006}} }} * {{cite web | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/CM/Was-mein-Gott-will-das-gscheh-allzeit.htm | title = Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit | work = Bach Cantatas website | date = 2009 | access-date = 17 January 2012 | ref = {{sfnref|Chorale melody|2009}} }}

== External links == * {{IMSLP|work=Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit, BWV 111 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)}} * {{cite web | last = Bischof | first = Walter F. | url = http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/cantatas/111.html | title = BWV 111 Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit] | publisher = University of Alberta | access-date = 24 January 2017 | ref = no }} * [http://www.uvm.edu/~classics/faculty/bach/BWV111.html BWV 111 Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit]: English translation, University of Vermont * {{YouTube|CUkkevIEGT8|J. S. Bach - Cantata BWV 111 "Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh allzeit" (J.S. Bach Foundation)}}

Category:Church cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach Category:1725 compositions Category:Chorale cantatas Category:Works based on the Gospel of Matthew Category:Epistle to the Romans