"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (or simply "Joy") is the most common English title of a piece of music derived from a chorale setting 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 1723. The same music on different stanzas of a chorale closes both parts of the cantata.

A transcription by the English pianist Myra Hess (1890?1965) was published in 1926 for piano solo and in 1934 for piano duet. It is often performed slowly and reverently at wedding ceremonies, as well as during Christian festive seasons like Christmas and Easter.Jesus joy of men (Jesus bleibet meine Freude, in German) is the final choir of the cantata "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben" ("Heart and Mouth and Actions and Life", in a free translation), written by Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig, Germany in the year 1716.

Although it is the 32nd cantata composed by Bach, of those that survived, it was given the number BWV 147 in the complete catalog of his works. Contrary to what is supposed, Johann Schop (1590-1664), and not Bach, composed the melodic line of the choir Werde munter, mein Gem�the (1641), which gave rise to the sixth and tenth movements of Cantata 147, being the tenth Jesus bleibet meine Freude. Bach gave him harmonization and an instrumental accompaniment. In this composition, the choir is superimposed on a great succession of triplets, "one of the Bachian symbols to indicate the Trinity.

One of the most famous classical chorals from Bach's Cantata "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben" BWV 147
arranged for Piano Solo in modern style.

"Intermediate Classical Favorites" is a collection of 10 famous classical works arranged for early to mid-intermediate pianists (pianists in level 3-4 of most piano method books). See the companion video for a sheet music and audio sample of the first page of each piece in the collection.

Included in this collection:Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (J. S. Bach), Canon in D (Pachelbel), Rondo alla Turca (Mozart), Theme from Sonata in A Major (Mozart), F�r Elise (Beethoven), Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven), Opening Theme from Concerto in A Minor (Grieg), Reverie (Debussy), Clair de Lune (Debussy), and The Entertainer (Joplin).

Like this collection but need something easier? Check out my "Easy Classical Favorites" and "More Easy Classical Favorites" collections here at Sheet Music Plus by clicking on my publisher name above!

About the arranger: Chrissy Ricker is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) with a Master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy. Chrissy enjoys composing and arranging music to motivate and challenge students of all ages. In addition to the works she publishes through SMP Press, Chrissy's piano music is also published by Kjos Music Company and Piano Pronto Publishing. Her music has appeared on the piano contest lists of many state and national teaching associations, including the National Federation of Music Clubs. Visit Chrissy's website at www.chrissyricker.com