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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow Nos. 38 & 40.: Jesus, thou that for me livest ( Jesu du, mein liebstes Leben ) Jesu, thou my joy and pleasure ( Jesu, meine Freud' und Wonne ) - Bach's Chorals, vol. 1 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Passions and Oratorios

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Subject Area: Music
Subject Area: Religion

Nos. 38 & 40.: Jesus, thou that for me livest ( Jesu du, mein liebstes Leben ) Jesu, thou my joy and pleasure ( Jesu, meine Freud’ und Wonne ) - Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 1 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the “Passions” and Oratorios [1915]

Edition used:

Bach’s Chorals. Part I: The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the “Passions” and Oratorios, by Charles Sanford Terry (Cambridge University Press, 1915-1921). 3 vols. Vol. 1.

Part of: Bach’s Chorals, 3 vols.

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Nos. 38 & 40.

Jesus, thou that for me livest (Jesu du, mein liebstes Leben) Jesu, thou my joy and pleasure (Jesu, meine Freud’ und Wonne)

In both movements the Soprano Arioso is a quasi Choral tune, by Bach himself and, like No. 42 infra, obviously derived from No. 36 of this Oratorio. The words of the two movements together form the first stanza of Johann Rist’s (see the “St Matthew Passion,” No. 48) Hymn, “Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben,” first published in 1642 in Part v. of his Himlischer Lieder (Lüneburg):
    • (38)

      Jesu du, mein liebstes Leben,
    • Meiner Seelen Brautigam,
    • Der du dich fur mich gegeben
    • An des bittern Kreuzes Stamm!
    • (40)

      Jesu, meine Freud’ und Wonne,
    • Meine1 Hoffnung, Schatz und Theil,
    • Mein Erloser, Schutz und Heil2 ,
    • Hirt und Konig, Licht und Sonne!
    • Ach, wie soll ich wurdiglich,
    • Mein Herr Jesu, preisen dich?
    • B.G. v. (2) 150, 158.

Form (both movements). A Soprano Arioso accompanying a Bass Recitativo (Strings, Organ, and Continuo).