Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, BWV 147 (J.S. Bach)

This is a simple but beautiful arrangement of the famous Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – or Jesu bleibet meine Freude in German. Originally composed for orchestra and choir, the work is not easy to arrange for solo piano without making it overly complicated. We believe this arrangement achieves that balance. This is not a virtuosic concert arrangement for professional performers, such as Busoni’s. It is, however, ideal for amateur players, pupils and students.

Although written mostly in two voices (the bass in the left hand and the violin melody in the right), the arrangement still allows all the choir parts to be heard! The trick is to sustain a few notes here and there, and these sustained notes are clearly indicated in the score.

Some fingering suggestions are provided.