Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

Composer: Bach, JS

Publisher: Little Piper

Instrumentation: Flute and Guitar

This is the English title of the 10th movement of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben BWV147.  Written during Bach's first year in Leipzig, Germany, this chorale movement is one of his most enduring works.  It is often performed at wedding ceremonies slowly and reverently, in defiance of the effect suggested in the original scoring of voices with trumpet, oboes, strings and continuo.  The underlying chorale melody of this piece, was composed by Johann Schop, which Bach contributed the harmonization and orchestration of it.  In this transcription, the flute is the chorale melody, while the guitar provides the countermelody.