Review

Johann Sebastian Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: from Cantata 147

Arranged by Gordon Cherry

Alto/tenor, tenor, bass trombones

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2019
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 3 trombones

BWV 147 is an Advent cantata thought to have been composed in Weimar between 1708 and 1717, but known only in a later version from Bach’s first year in Leipzig (1723). At least in the English-speaking world, this chorale is now probably his best-known piece. This arrangement for two tenor trombones and bass trombone is in F, and has 71 measures. First part plays the accompanying ritornello, an almost unbroken flow of ‘triplet’ eighths. Second moves from an accompanying role to the chorale melody in measure nine, continuing in a supporting role when not playing the melody. The upper parts have few measures of rest; the bass trombone has none, and all parts are quite challenging. Range for first is c-b-flat¹, given in tenor clef, and second, in bass clef, covers c–g¹. The bass trombone part, C-d¹, includes a low F held over four measures. I think this will become a popular selection. It is one of only 11 items for trombone trio currently available from this publisher.