Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Chorale from Cantata No. 147 / Rhoda Pinsley Levin, piano
Rhoda Pinsley Levin, piano
Story behind the song
Bach's seasonal 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' (Chorale from Cantata No. 147) is featured on the late Rhoda Pinsley Levin's double CD 'Pieces for Piano'. Her interpretation of that longtime Christmas musical tradition is stirring and powerful.
Bach's Chorale is complimented on her CD by virtuosic performances of works by Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Robert Kurka, Liszt, Gian-Carlo Menotti, Paradies, Scarlatti and Schubert.
Spanning the Baroque period to 20th century, it demonstrates not only Mrs. Levin's extensive training and proficiency but rare musical sensitivity and heart. Her playing didn't merely impress listeners but deeply moved them as well.
"Not only...all the traditional skills of speed, articulation, clarity, but...a wonderful sensitivity to tone and phrase...turn[s] notes into something that lives and breathes. [The] music is alive... There is no getting away from this cleanness and clarity -- this freshness -- it is like standing on the top of a mountain."
-- Beryl Ladd, pianist
"...one of those rare musicians who performed at the highest professional level, without ever losing sight of the fact that the music was more important than she or her ego was... She sought and achieved ever-increasing mastery, not for her own glory, but because that was what the music deserved!"
-- Audrey Schneider, pianist
"...her performance was clean and intelligent...excellent qualities in her interpretation."
-- Morton Estrin, pianist
"The combined strength of her intellectual and expressive abilities was always evident."
-- Blanche Abram, pianist
"...a clarity and depth like that of fine wine... Her soul shined through her fingertips, and there was a lot of beauty in everything she played..."
-- Carol Block Whited
Performed during her last recital tour, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring was also one of the last pieces Mrs. Levin recorded. Her selection was consistent with her interfaith tendencies. Although Jewish, she was a citizen of the world who embraced divergent cultures, communities and causes regardless of social or religious connotations. (At one point, she even selected, directed and performed Gian-Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors.) In those small ways, she seemed to pursue the season's ideals of universal peace and good will, and her execution of Bach's seasonal Chorale exudes a similar passion and sense of conviction.
Mrs. Levin's 'Pieces for Piano' CD is a "must" for any fan of classical music or piano music.
Performed and recorded in 1966
Produced and mastered in 2005
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