Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a composer of the Baroque period of music history. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers who has ever lived, and the most influential composer of the late Baroque.
Bach was known more as a virtuoso organist during his lifetime, although now he is recognised for his compositions, which number over 1,128, plus 23 more that are lost or unfinished. In this post I will take you through eight of Bach's all-time best pieces of music.
1. Brandenburg Concertos (BWV 1046–1051)
Bach's six Brandenburg Concertos are some of his most famous works. They are examples of concerto grossi, featuring a tutti ensemble (the ripieno) with a contrasting solo group which feature in the tutti and solo sections (the concertino).
Some of the solo sections are very virtuosic, for example the violin writing in the first movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and the excellent writing for harpsichord in the first movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.
The concertos were presented by Bach to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt, in 1721, however they were likely written earlier.
2. Orchestral Suites (BWV 1066–1069)
In Bach's day, suites of dance movements were incredibly popular. Such suites were often written for keyboard instruments such as the harpsichord, or for orchestra on a larger scale. There were standard movements included in suites or partitas; normally there was an opening Overture or Prelude, and then an Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue, with optional extra movements such as a Menuet, Gavotte and Bourrée.
In a suite, the movements would normally all be in the same key, with contrast created through the varying tempo, rhythm and style of the dance movements. Most suites were not intended for actual dancing.
Bach's four Orchestral Suites (titled just Ouvertures by Bach) are written in the French Baroque style, such was custom at the time. We don't know for certain when they were composed, but it is most likely in the years 1724-1731. The orchestral suites are widely recorded and performed today.
3. St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244)
One of Bach's most emotionally moving works, the St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244, musically sets the biblical Passion of Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Bach wrote it in 1727 and scored it for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra. The libretto was written by Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander).
The St. Matthew Passion was probably first performed on Good Friday, 11 April 1727, in the St. Thomas Church. The work consists of 68 movements, and is the largest work in Bach's output, with performances lasting around 2 hours 30 minutes.
4. Clavier-Übung III (BWV 552, 669–689 and 802–805)
Often called the German Organ Mass, the third part of the Clavier-Übung is a sacred organ work setting two parts of the Lutheran mass and four catechism chorales across 21 chorale preludes, with four additional duets.
The opening and closing movements are a prelude and fugue. The closing movement, a triple fugue in E-flat major is significant for its use of the number three; it has been suggested that the three sections represent the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit respectively, and it is written in a key with three flats.
The main theme of the fugue appears in all the sections, successively transformed in character with its last appearance majestically in the bass over 4/2 harmony before a triumphant final cadence in the home key.
5. Harpsichord Concerto in A major (BWV 1055)
Bach was an excellent keyboardist and this shows in the virtuosic writing for harpsichord in the Harpsichord Concerto in A major, BWV 1055, written c. 1738. The main theme of the first movement is undoubtedly uplifted, with flowing arpeggiated semiquavers providing amazing forward movement throughout the piece.
After an expressive Larghetto second movement scored in the key of F-sharp minor, a lively Allegro ma non tanto movement, similar to the first in style and construction, concludes the work.
6. Concerto for Two Violins in D minor (BWV 1043)
On the subject of instrumental concertos, next up we have the Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, composed by Bach while he was director of the Collegium Musicum in Leipzig, around 1730. It is known as the 'Double Violin Concerto'.
A firm fixture in Baroque violin repertoire, the concerto features subtle interplay between the two violins, backed by classic instrumental forces of a string orchestra and continuo. The second movement is lyrical and is one of the best slow movements written by Bach in his lifetime.
7. The Well-Tempered Clavier (BWV 846–893)
Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846-893, consists of two sets of 24 preludes and fugues, with each set containing one prelude and fugue in every major and minor key. The work is written for keyboard and demonstrated a new concept in Bach’s time – the equal usability of all the keys in a new system of tuning that scholars suggest to be either equal or well-temperament.
The first book was composed in 1722 during Bach's appointment in Köthen and the second book some 20 years later in 1742 when he was at Leipzig. It is likely that Bach intended the preludes and fugues in The Well-Tempered Clavier to be used as teaching pieces for students as well as compositional examples, demonstrating mastery of the fugue form.
8. Magnificat in E-flat major (BWV 243a/BWV 243.1)
We conclude this list with another large-scale choral work of Bach's, his Magnificat in E-flat major, BWV 243.1. This composition sets the Latin text of the Magnificat from the Gospel of Luke with the doxology. Also known as the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat text is spoken by Mary on a visit to her cousin Elizabeth in the Bible. For performance at Christmas 1723, Bach added four hymns of praise, or laudes, partly in German and partly in Latin.
The Magnificat in E-flat major contains twelve movements, scored for five vocal parts (two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass) and a Baroque orchestra of three trumpets, timpani, two oboes, strings, bassoon and basso continuo. This version is the earlier version of the work; Bach revised it some ten years later in 1733, transposing it to D major and removing the Christmas interpolations.
Musically, the Magnificat is remarkable in its impressive choral writing as well as the contrast created with the solo movements.
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