Arranged 2007 for Brass Quintet

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Discomfort was premiered on July 18, 2009, much to the chagrin of the brass quintet that performed it.

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Discomfort was written October 25th, 2007. The piece was inspired by Derek Bourgeois’ Serenade, which he wrote for his own wedding. States his score:

Derek Bourgeois wrote this Serenade for his own wedding, to be played by the organist as the guests left the ceremony. Not wishing to allow them the luxury of proceeding in an orderly 2/4, the composer wrote the work in 11/8, and in case anyone felt too comfortable, he changed it to 13/8 in the middle!

Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (from Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147) is tremendously common at weddings, and having the Bourgeois piece in the back of my mind, I decided to warp it into my own twisted wedding march in 5/8 time. It eventually was premiered at my own wedding, because my wife made the mistake of trusting me with the music decisions. I’m still paying for it all these years later…

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