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J. S. Bach’s ‘Jesu, meine Freude’ is a five-part motet for choir, based on a hymn Johann Crüger with text by Johann Franck, dating from 1650.

The title translates to ‘Jesus, my Joy’ and the text relates to biblical scripture, in which the believer praises Jesus Christ and commits their life to him. It is believed that the motet was written in 1723 for the funeral of Johanna Maria Kees, the wife of the Leipzig postmaster, as some of the scripture in ‘Jesu, meine Freude’ was read at the funeral.

This piece is more dramatic and colourful than many other similar motets, reflecting the contrasts in the text which reference heaven and hell. The addition of the 5th voice, second soprano, also adds depth and contrast to the piece.

This version was beautifully performed by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Chorus of Wales in 2009, conducted by Artistic Director Adrian Partington and accompanied by organist Jane Watts.