Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
By Johann Sebastian Bach
Arranged by David Marlatt
For Flute, Clarinet and Piano
Score and Parts

Building on the materials and practices of both earlier and contemporary musicians, Bach produced a tremendous amount of choral and instrumental compositions.  This huge catalog summed up the progress of music to his time, while developing music artistry to an immeasurably remarkable place.  This composition is perhaps the most familiar of the Bach choral preludes. It follows the usual chorale prelude plan, in which the phrases of the chorale melody are interspersed with an on-going florid counter-melody or counterpoint.  This arrangement does offer an optional start at measure 32, when the flute begins the choral melody.