Bach (arr. Myra Hess) 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' P. Barton, FEURICH piano

Public domain solo piano arrangement available at the IMSLP Music Library:
Go to the "Arrangements and Transcriptions" tab. scroll down to "For Piano Solo (Bauer)"

[janetbacker]

I am thinking about my Dad as I listen to this. He is now sadly terminally ill, but used to play this all the time on our piano when I was growing up

[tienforcement]

Imagine Bach playing this melody at Heaven, forever and ever.
Glorious.

[rocketman]

That moment when you reject instrumentaility and realize that life is worth living even through all the hardships and sorrow.

[Tiny_]

after 4 years I guess, I finally found the title of this piece so overwhelmed right now!!! I'm so happy right now I can listen to this over and over again

[bernios]

Noone can meld joy, hope and pain into one sweet, almost heavenly expression like Bach. To me, he is the pinnacle of western classical music.

[kjell]

It inspires me in life, how firstly, from what I understand from some youtube comment which I sadly cannot find anymore, Myra kept playing during the bombing of London, and so helped keep the citizens' spirit up, wonderful thing. And how because of this, a soldier may be found, perhaps unknowingly, whistling a hymn to the glory of Jesus Christ.
And when I had newly come to faith, I found this song the closest match to describing the ever upwards flowing peace and joy of God's Holy Spirit's presence. Of course no music ever can really describe it, just like there are no words that can describe it. There are also no words to properly describe the horror of being about to die in one's sins. Which is why, I guess, so many people don't care about the suffering around us, because they haven't experienced intense pain themselves?


During the Second World War when, with all concert halls blacked out at night to avoid being targeted by German bombers, Myra Hess organised what would turn out to be almost 2, 000 lunchtime concerts spanning a period of six years, starting during The Blitz bombing of London. The concerts were held at the National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square. Hess began her lunchtime concerts a few weeks after the start of the war. They were presented on Monday to Friday, for six-and-a-half years without fail. If London was being bombed, the concert was moved to a smaller, safer room. Every artist was paid five guineas, no matter who they were. - Wikipedia.



Myra Hess's (1890-1965) perofrmance of her very famous arrangement of Bach's Chorale "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring".
Her favourite anecdote relating to "Jesu, Joy" concerned a British soldier who whistled it on a train during the war.
"Are you interested in Bach?", the soldier was asked by a journalist.
"No", he answered.
"But you are whistling a Bach composition", the newsman insisted.
"That's no Bach", he replied indignantly. "That's Myra Hess."
(From Marian McKenna's "Myra Hess -- A Portrait")

[gmtfonseca]

The way your hands softly move over the keyboard is amazing.

[MDkid]

The only thing bad about this song is that it ends.

[phrababushkath]

I sat with my family on the stage during Dame Myra Hess's farewell concert in New York
decades ago: the theatre was completely sold out so they sold tickets for some long-time subscribers to sit on the stage! She played this - of course - her signature piece. Paul Barton here does a superb job with this beautiful music!

[randomchannel-pxho]

A spiritually wonderful piece by Bach that almost makes me want to become religious, a beautiful arrangement by Myra Hess, and a amazing performance by Mr. Barton.

[mjwgjema]

In 1954 I bought my first record player together with a record (78 rev.). It was Jesu Joy of Man's Desire, played by Myra Hess. It made such an impression on me that each time I hear this, the same emotions of the first time are again there. Wonderful, with the  high notes flying like butterflies around the theme.

[chubster]

I listen to this almost every night to quiet my spirit so I can sleep. Thank you.

[robmaddison]

I like the way it's mostly a 1 to 3 ratio in terms of bass and melody. Makes it sound like effortless movement. Like a group of angels made it for the sheer joy of it.

[goji]

This was played at my aunt’s wedding last summer. I didn’t know it was Bach at the time, but I definitely found it beautiful and now I mainly relate this music to sadness and beauty

[luckyfish]

Every time I listen to this piece I get emotional... Beautiful.

[libertytarot]

I never get tired of hearing this song it’s so glorious — I never get tired of playing it too

[slide]

You made me miss my dad. Thanks for sharing! Nice playing, didn't just play the notes but got the emotion in there as well! My dad played like you as well. Nice memories.

[carlosaze]

This is so sweet. Words can't describe it. It is heavenly...
Thanks Paul!!

[BPK]

Just so peaceful. My favorite piece to play on the piano.

[michaelwisse]

P. Barton you are a true piano teacher. I thank the Lord that I met you !