Jesu, meine Freude
Jesu, meine Freude is a motet for five -part chorus of Johann Sebastian Bach ( BWV 227 ), whose basic structure is the same hymn by Johann Franck ( 1650). Between his six stanzas each is a passage from the Letter to the Romans. Bach composed the motet 1723-1735, probably for a funeral or memorial service.
Musically held in the tone of a funeral music, the text conveys the renunciation of worldly things and turn to the spirit of Jesus, who triumphs over all sadness ( so the conclusion: " Yet you also stay in suffering / Jesu, meine Freude ").
Formation
The reason for this motet was not handed down, as with most of the other motets as well. A chronology is therefore very difficult. It, however, assumes that it is a composition of Bach's Leipzig period, also there is a copy from the year 1735. The emergence period was thus established to the years 1723-1735.
The hypothesis that this motet was created on the occasion of the Funeral of Johanna Maria Kees (b. Rappold, widow of Leipzig upper Postmaster ) on July 18, 1723 in research is regarded as extremely doubtful, however, could so far not be completely ruled out.
Instrumentation and Performance Practice
The motet is applied for five -part choir ( SSATB). Despite the lack of instrumental parts but the work is not to be conceived as a cappella work in the modern sense. Rather, it was in the time of Bach common hinzuzuimprovisieren a basso - or at least organ accompaniment, especially in basso age fell also works with instrumental accompaniment supportive yet covered by the term " a cappella ". In today's performance practice outweigh a cappella performances, although in the course of historical performance practice also exist again increased performances and recordings with instrumental accompaniment.
Text structure
The work, which consists of eleven individual sets composed of two texts. The skeleton forms the text of the same hymn by Johann Franck ( 1650). Between the six verses each is a passage from the Letter to the Romans (Rom 8:1-11 KJV ).
The beginnings of the individual movements are:
Musical structure
Central piece of the work is the Fugue " But ye are not in the flesh " (with emblematic coloratura on the word " spiritual" ) around which the other sets are grouped symmetrically. Enclosed is the work of two musically identical chorales to the tune of Johann Crüger. Two award motets form the second and the penultimate sentence and also rely on common musical material. Two three-movement choral groups, trio and free Choralbearbeitung correspond whose parts each motif, complete the centrally symmetrical arrangement:
Musical references thus exist between the following sentences:
- Choral Jesu, meine Freude (1) and deviates, her mournful spirits (11 )
- Saying motets There is therefore now no condemnation (2) and if the Spirit (10 )
- Chorales Beneath your protection (3) and Away with all treasures ( 7)
- Terzette For the law (4) and if Christ is in you ( 8)
- Free chorales Despite the old dragon (5) and Good Night, O beings (9 )
The performance lasts about 20-25 minutes.