Cantata BWV 147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben' (includes 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring')
Johann Sebastian Bach
178
Up 1. 4th of Bach's 11 entries.
If we translate the title of the most popular section of Bach's cantata a little more accurately than the now ubiquitous English version we know, it comes out something like 'Jesus remains my joy, my heart's comfort and essence', rather than 'Jesu, joy of man's desiring'.
Indeed, the rest of the translation bears precious little relation to the actual German text, written by the lawyer and poet Salomo Franck. Accuracy of words aside, this exquisite movement choral interludes between that divine, undulating melody might be best seen as a mere key to unlocking the rest of the cantata, entitled 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben' (which translates as 'heart and mouth and deed and life').
-
Did you win one of our prizes?
We gave away sixteen Kindle Fire HD tablets across the Hall Of Fame weekend, as well as hourly prizes of two of Classic FM's best books.
-
The Hall of Fame album
We've compiled some of the greatest tracks from this year's Hall Of Fame and housed them on one album for your listening pleasure.
-
Download the Classic FM app for your Apple device
Got an Apple mobile device? Listen to Classic FM on the move with our beautifully-designed, brand new app.
-
Download the Classic FM app for your Android device
Got an Android mobile device? Listen to Classic FM on the move with our beautifully-designed, brand new app.