Jesu Priceless Treasure

Jesu, Priceless Treasure is one of very few Bach motets which are in five parts. Of all of Bach's motets it is the longest, the most varied, and has the greatest emotional range. It is founded on the hymn Jesu, Meine Freude byJohannes Franck, and the melody which Bach has used as the main feature of this motet is the one set to Franck's hymn by Johann Cruger, and appeared first in his Praxis Pietatis Melica. The motet seems to have been written for thefuneral of Frau Reese in 1723. This piece for SSATB voices can be sung unaccompanied or with the Piano Accompaniment provided in this edition.