Presenting the cantata ‘Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh allzeit’, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment begin the new year with vigorous resolve in this first Bach, the Universe and Everything of 2026. Meanwhile, Hannah Wakeford shows us what measuring the atmosphere of exoplanets in far away galaxies can can reveal about our own solar system.

Inspired by the story of the faithful centurion, Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh allzeit was composed in 1725 in Leipzig for the third Sunday after Advent.

The chorale upon which it is based is a hymn dating back to pre-Reformation days and is woven into pieces by several composers Bach admired including Lassus and Schutz. Its distinctive melodic shape and harmony elicit great energy in Bach’s writing whilst its central duet for alto and tenor depict two souls drawing close to heaven.

Sofia Kirwan-Baez soprano
Angharad Rowlands alto
Peter Edge bass
Steven Devine director
Hannah Wakeford guest speaker