– Arrangement –
Johann Sebastian Bach
Jesus bleibet meine Freude
from “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben”
BWV 147
Arrangement for
Percussion Quartet
Leonhard Waltersdorfer

Quartet Version

written by:
Johann Sebastian Bach
lyrics by:
Salomon Franck, Martin Jahn
arranged by:
Leonhard Waltersdorfer
AKM registration number:
25309577

This version transfers Johann Sebastian Bach’s chorale to a mallet ensemble consisting of vibraphone and three marimbas. The focus lies on clarity of voice leading and balanced distribution of the polyphonic material within a resonant percussion setting.

Rather than offering a stylistic reinterpretation, the arrangement preserves the calm and steady character of the chorale while exploring transparency and blend across the ensemble.

A trio version for Styrian accordion, vibraphone and marimba has also been developed.

Instrumentation

  • Vibraphone
  • Marimba 1 (may share an instrument with Marimba 3)
  • Marimba 2 (4⅓-octave)
  • Marimba 3 (5-octave)

The sheet music for this work is published by Vienna Percussion Editions.