This instrumental quartet version was created with ensemble practice in mind for beginning music school students who want more contact with baroque music, ideal also for liturgical performances in churches, since it is a sacred work. This version lasts 3:19 minutes with the original melody adapted with the harmony divided between the voices of the performers.

Jesu joy of man's desiring or Wohl mir, daß ich Jesum habe (I am happy to have Jesus) is a chorale from the cantata 147 "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben" or "Heart and mouth and deed and life" from the B. W. V 147 catalog composed by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1723, where the same music in different stanzas of a chorale closes both parts of the cantata.

Brahms wrote three sets of Motets. This Motet, Opus 74, No. 2 composed in the early 1860?s is taken from text written by Friedrich Spee (1591-1635), inspired from the Hebrew bible. This Motet is often performed at Advent by Catholic and Protestant church choirs. As with much of Brahms? choral music, there is exceptional harmonic beauty and counterpoint which was influenced greatly by Bach.

Mr. Sauer has done an exceptional job of scoring this work for four part choir of advanced performers.

Bach?s great Chaconne from the Partita in d minor BWV 1004 for Violin was arranged for piano left-hand by Brahms and now has been arranged yet again for Trombone Quartet by Phil Brink. This 8-minute work is appropriate for advanced performers and will make a great addition to any recital.