Program note

Set in the style of a chorale motet, Jesu, Priceless Treasure juxtaposes Catherine Winkworth's English translation of German poet Johann Franck's hymn Jesu, Meine Freude against itself by utilizing dual settings of the chorale melody. In between the movements using the text of the hymn, scripture is interspersed: "Blessed is he whose sin is forgiven, whose transgression is covered" (Psalm 32:1). The spirit of the Baroque is hearkened to throughout the work, a commentary on the beautiful symmetry of the text.