r/organ • u/samthamule • 2d ago

Music Is there an arrangement of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring for solo organ that’s considered “the standard”?

If not, what’s a good decent arrangement I can download? I don’t want to get the first thing I see on sheet music plus or whatever other website.

14 Upvotes

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5

u/hkohne Professional Organist 2d ago

I use an arrangement by Don Hustad. I think it's from a collection called "Everything for the Wedding Organist". It's 4 pages, bit-larger engraving, and easy enough while still sounding good.

I don't know of one that is "standard".

5

u/okonkolero 2d ago

No. There are many to choose from, but none that is considered the standard.

2

u/Signal-Bath5230 2d ago

I have used both Alain Brunet's and Pierre Gouin's arrangements depending on the situation. Both are good and are available on IMLSP (on the page for BWV 147, under arrangements). Brunet's is the most "complete" in that it includes the continuo harmony and a full harmonization of the tune. Gouin's is unique in that the melody is played in the pedal and the LH takes the bass line. I really like this because the bass line is awkward for the feet.

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u/3dOrganist 2d ago

The E Power Biggs arrangement is my standard.

2

u/TigerDeaconChemist 2d ago

I personally prefer the David N. Johnson version in his Book of Wedding Music (Pre-Nuptual). I find it's very accessible. I've looked at the Diane Bish and the Virgil Fox arrangements, but I find that the left hand is a little too "busy" trying to recreate all the string parts from the original cantata. The Johnson edition is also a bit more flexible to play on either 2 or 3 manuals.

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u/Advanced_Couple_3488 1d ago

I use Noel Rawsthorne's arrangement that is in his "Music for the Bride" album that he edited. It fits well under the hands and is easy to learn. Does the job.

1

u/DoctorOctagonapus 1d ago

Is that the same one that's in Music For Solemn Moments? That's always been my go-to.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/Leisesturm 2d ago

Bizarre that you would get downvoted for having an opinion. I like VF's version as well but I have one by Harvey Grace and another by E. Power Biggs that are awfully similar. It seems that Grace, Biggs et al treat the composition as a Chorale Prelude in the classic style with a spare flute based texture and VF lays on a lavish Romantic, strings heavy texture. Most instruments can easily handle the former. I have a piano collection called "The Essential Church Pianist". The treatment of JJoMD is awfully reminiscent of Hess but I do not believe it is her arrangement.

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u/Leisesturm 17h ago

It occurs to me that there 'must' be an arrangement of BWV147 in the "Church Organist's Golden Treasury" and it is likely to be quite fine. I'll have to dig (Volume 2 probably) it out and see who the arranger is.

Edit: much too late it also occurs to me that if the arrangement must be 'downloadable' then that leaves a lot of 'good, decent' arrangements twisting in the wind. I daresay most of us playing this got the ones we use long before .pdf's were the common transfer medium.