Bach/Hess - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

[quantum]

A wonderful arrangement by Myra Hess. 

I have given this piece several revisions over the years and this is what it sounds like today. 

Bach/Hess - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Mic: (2x) Studio Projects B1
Interface: Edirol UA-25
Piano: Yamaha C3

Enjoy!

[classicarts]

 Man! I wish I could play like you. Someday.

[gaer]

A wonderful arrangement by Myra Hess. 

Sounds nice. Sounds easy. (I'ts not!)  I'll bet it's a musical nightmare to get the right balance so that it SOUNDS easy!

Ah, I really enjoyed that!

Have you heard Hess play it? I haven't, but I've heard other things by her, and she always amazes me.

Gary

[classicarts]

But, I'm still having a hard time to believe this is a home recording.

[leahcim]

But, I'm still having a hard time to believe this is a home recording.

What would he have to gain by being dishonest about it?

[prometheus]

Everyone not calling this piece 'Jesu bleibet meine freunde' should be shot. What's up with the funny cheesy english name anyway?

It doesn't sound easy. The recording quality sounds quite great. The performance is acceptable, but not perfect yet. Too bad. Because I don't have a piano recording of this piece. Nice for a amateur recital.

[gaer]

Everyone not calling this piece 'Jesu bleibet meine freunde' should be shot. What's up with the funny cheesy english name anyway?

I prefer the German also:

"Jesus bleibet meine Freude, meines Herzens Trost and Saft"

"freunde" was a typo, right? "Jesus is (remains) my joy, etc."

It doesn't sound easy.

Sorry. I should have put a smile by that. I meant that the average person, not knowing anything about how the piano is played, would assume that it is easy because it's not fast or spectacular or "showy".

The recording quality sounds quite great. The performance is acceptable, but not perfect yet. Too bad. Because I don't have a piano recording of this piece. Nice for a amateur recital.

I agree it's not perfect. But I think "accpeptable" is a bit harsh.

Gary

[prometheus]

Sorry, I am a bit critical. Just ignore it.

Wait. I am dyslectic. I always read 'freunde'. I never really understood that. Like Jesus would abandon people, which was theologically every strange. That explains the english title. I hate my brain.

I guess i will still stand by my: "Everyone not calling this piece 'Jesu bleibet meine freunde' should be shot."

[sharon_f]

Terrific playing. Very, very musical.

Also thanks for posting the equipment used. The recording quality is wonderful.

[rafant]

Very nice job, specially in voicing the two main themes in the right hand. Yes, it's not easy, as stated before. I'm quite fond of the piano transcriptions of Bach's works, perhaps you would want to try other ones also.

[quantum]

Well thanks everyone for their comments.  It is quite a difficult piece, much of it lies it bringing out the cantus firums, and balancing it with the counterpoint melody plus chordal accompaniment.  I've been playing this for over 10 years, and there is sill much more that can be done with it.

prometheus, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is the title that was given on my arrangement.  If you have issues with it, talk to Myra Hess.  You really should look into a composition more before you make such comments.  The english version of the title is quite common in use. 

Why would this composition only be good for an amateur recital?  Is it just because it is an arrangment?  Does arranging a piece of music in anyway detract from it's value?  These are important questions to ask, as many musicians have preconcieved judgements about certain pieces that are variations of the original or have the word "arrangement" attachted to it.  Some of the 20th century's greatest pianists including: Myra Hess, Dinu Lipatti, Leon Fleischer, Angela Hewitt, and many others have recorded the arrangement and included it on recital programs.  Angela Hewitt has also recorded an entire CD devoted to Bach arrangements for solo piano - for someone considered as one of the leading Bach interpreters of our day this surely says something about the musical value of the arrangements. 

prometheus, please don't take this as an attack on you, but I just wanted to raise some points.   

But, I'm still having a hard time to believe this is a home recording.

Well I think your comment says a lot about the quality of Studio Projects' mics. 

Very nice job, specially in voicing the two main themes in the right hand. Yes, it's not easy, as stated before. I'm quite fond of the piano transcriptions of Bach's works, perhaps you would want to try other ones also.

Thanks.  Actually I'm on a score hunt right now for any and all Bach solo piano arrangments I can find.  I have the Kempff album, and might play a few from there.  Also looking for the Eberme dich Aria from the St. Mattew Passion.  If I can't find it, I may attempt to do an arrangement myself. 

[bearzinthehood]

Quantum, your recording setup is awesome.  Can I ask about your microphone placement?

[quantum]

Quantum, your recording setup is awesome. Can I ask about your microphone placement?

Thanks.  I posted a diagram of my current mic placement in this other thread:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,11881.msg124812.html#msg124812

[Torp]

Well I think your comment says a lot about the quality of Studio Projects' mics. 

I think it is funny how much-maligned these mics are because they're inexpensive.  Think about this people...the Shure SM57 is probably the most used microphone in a recording studio.  More hit records can boast the use of this mic.  It is extremely versatile, it's bullet proof in terms of performance, it's a sonically great mic.  It retails for the exhorbitant price of $89.  The Studio Projects mic happens to cost $10 more than one of the greatest recording mics in all of history.  If the Studio Projects mic were assembled just about anywhere other than China they would cost anywhere from $500 - $1500.

Quantum's recording verify something that has been true for a long time.  You take a good musician, put them on a good instrument and you record them.  It does not take a multi-million dollar studio to produce good results.  The recording equipment is the least important aspect of a good recording.

Quantum, I will say it again, your playing is beautiful.

Jef

[gay catholic]

Beautiful, I really enjoyed that!
Have you heard it played by Richard Tilling? A beautiful interpetation.....I started piano 18 months ago, I'm 15 and tried the Tilling arrangement - its a deceptively difficult but rewarding piece
good luck, that was such a passionate recording
love the pianissimo phrase at the end, by the way
xxx

[quasimodo]

I downloaded the recording long ago and did not listen to it with attention.
Done That today, and WOW!
Great performance.