Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring is the most common English title of the 10th and last movement of the cantata “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben”, BWV 147 (“Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life”), composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1716 and 1723.

It is often performed slowly and reverently at wedding ceremonies, as well as during Christian festive seasons like Christmas and Easter, despite the affect suggested by Bach in his original scoring, for voices with trumpet, oboes, strings, and continuo.

This arrangement was created in the 1990’s for the quartet “Saxtet” and the piece soon became a staple part of the group’s busking catalogue.

The E-Edition PDF bundle comes with the following:

Standard parts
Soprano Saxophone (alternative to Alto Saxophone 1)
Alto Saxophone 2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Alternative parts
Alto Saxophone 1 (alternative to Soprano Saxophone)

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” is also available in hard-copy from June Emerson Wind Music.