Johann Sebastian Bach's hundreds of cantatas represent some of his finest and best-loved works. But there are, indeed, hundreds of them, making a comprehensive knowledge of them beyond the purview of all but the most ardent fanatics or scholars. Among the most famous, though, is his BWV. 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben. Actually, strictly speaking, the cantata itself is not so famous (which is a shame, because it is absolutely gorgeous). But the last movement of it, Jesus bleibet meine Freude, is really well-known. Actually, strictly speaking, the movement is not so famous (which is a shame, because it is absolutely gorgeous). What is really famous is the arrangement for solo piano of the last movement, called in English "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," and done by the phenomenal pianist, Myra Hess. Unfortunately or not, this is the most famous thing Hess ever did, though she was, indeed, one of the Great Pianists of the 20th century. Her arrangement was instrumental in helping to accelerate the Bach revival, and it greatly increased the interest in this particular cantata, and, as a result, Bach cantatas in general. This month's clip has her playing her famous arrangement.

[For those interested, here is the same movement in Bach's cantata.]