Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring or Jesus bleibet meine Freude is a piece of music derived from a chorale setting from the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life), composed by J. S. Bach in 1723.
This music is often performed slowly and reverently at wedding ceremonies, as well as during Christian festive seasons like Christmas and Easter.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint and harmonic organisation. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the B Minor Mass, two Passions, and over three hundred cantatas. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty and intellectual depth. Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest in and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. Bach was born in Eisenach into a great musical family. He was the eighth and youngest child to Maria and Johann, his father was the director of the town musicians; all of his uncles were professional musicians. After graduating he held several musical posts across Germany, serving as Kapellmeister to Leopold, where he held the title of "Royal Court Composer”. Religious music was at the centre of Bach's output for much of his life. The hundreds of sacred works he created are usually seen as manifesting not just his craft but also a truly devout relationship with God.
