Bach completed 4 cycles of 52 weeks like this, possibly more.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is a 3-minute extract from a thirty-minute cantata. That cantata is just one of over 200 that survived. Those 200 cantatas form only a fifth of Bach's works as listed in the BWV catalogue. And those thousand-odd works are only a fraction of what survived.
Notable Back Recordings of this Cantata
Today, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is often found in Christmas collections. Some excellent recordings include: Amy Grant's rendition on her second Christmas CD; Rebecca St. James, who gives Bach's piece an edge; and the piece in its original German in The Sacred Cantatas: Famous Chorus. This piece is also a favorite at weddings, and has even been adapted for use in several Celtic musical anthologies.
Jesu, joy of man's desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne. Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
Theirs is beauty's fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.
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