SKU: A0.548650

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring from Bach's Cantata 147, arranged for the clarinet choir.
1 Eb Clarinet
3 Bb Clarinets
1 Alto Clarinet
1 Bass Clarinet
1 Contrabass Clarinet
Score: 18 pg. Parts: 2 pg. Duration: 5:00 with optional repeat.

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Bach composed a cantata called Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. Though it is the 32nd cantata, it is listed as BWV 147. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is the 10th movement of the cantata. It was customary to use previous melodies as a basis for a new work - a practice called Cantus prius factus. So, the chorale melody for this piece is a historic tune called Werde munter, mein Gemüthe. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is customarily performed at weddings and during major church seasons such as Easter and Christmas.

Bach Overview

First, Johann Sebastian Bach may be the greatest composer in music history. Indeed, he was prolific. As a result, everyone has heard of his works. Furthermore, these works number well over a thousand. People are probably most familiar with instrumental works such as the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations. But, similarly famous are such noteworthy works as the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Musical Offering, and certainly the Art of Fugue. His most famous vocal works seem to include the most noteworthy Mass in B Minor. Also, the St. John Passion and certainly the Christmas Oratorio are the most noteworthy.

 History

Bach came from a long line of musicians and, above all, composers. Consequently, he first pursued a career as a church organist. As a result, he gained employment in various Protestant churches in Germany. He worked as a court musician in Weimar and Köthen for a while. Here he probably developed his organ style and, likewise, his chamber music style. Eventually, he gained an appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Here he worked until difficulties with his employer ultimately drove him away. The King of Poland finally appointed him as court composer.

 Style

It seems like Bach created a fascinating new international style. He synthesized elements of the most noteworthy European music ideas into his new style. This new style was probably his synthesis of European musical rhythm and form. Furthermore, in addition to his complete mastery of counterpoint and motivic development, his sense of harmonic organization probably propelled him to the top.

Revival               

Mendelssohn conducted a Bach revival in the nineteenth century. His effort probably helped to re-familiarize the public with the magnitude of Bach’s works. During this period, scholars published many noteworthy Bach biographies. Moreover, Wolfgang Schmieder published the BWV (Bach Werke Verzeichnis). As a result, this is now the official catalog of his entire artistic output. The BWV number allows us to locate a work in the catalog. Sometimes scholars will use an S (Schmieder) as an abbreviation for BWV.