The Essential Bach

It is difficult to make a list of essential Bach works. My first advice is that Bach is essential, all his compositions. But since it is hard to have the time and resources to enjoy it in it completeness, I’ve made the following list of “The Best of”.

This guide is aimed mainly to newcomers to Bach’s music. If you want to enjoy the most beautiful music in the world, but don’t know where to start, this is for you.

I’ve put first the most recognized pieces. This is a good way to start to injest Bach or any other composer, to listen first the most famous pieces, the ones that you already know but don’t “really know”, the ones that you’ve heard at phone ringtones, advertising and movies.

If you want to continue exploring Bach, I’ve made a continuation of this page, with more works that, although not so famous, are a must listen.

You can download each piece. They are in WMA format. They aren't recordings or real performances but are better than anything you could find on the net. Click here to know more about these files. I recomend you to download these and then, if you like the piece, buy a quality recording.

1. Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3

One of the most famous pieces of classical music. Better known by the adaptation “Air on the G string”. This was an arrangement of violinist August Wilhelmj of the original orchestal piece for violin and piano. Wilhelmj was able to play the piece on only one string of his violin, the G string.

It is also famous because it is the main inspiration for the song "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum. It was also used in many movies, anime series and video games.

I’m sure you know it, just listen to this audio file and you’ll get that “Ah!”. If you already know it, you probably love it, if not, listen to it again and you will.

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You probably know this piece thanks to Nokia and its ringtones. Used by many flautist as a show-piece because its speed and difficulty (I don’t know when they have time to breath!).

Appart from that, listen to it and tell me if you have listened to a more graceful melody.

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This is the name of a transcription by pianist Myra Hess of the chorale of the cantata BWV 147. This transcription was later arranged for many other instruments. Now, it is often played in wedding ceremonies.

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4. Toccata and fugue in D minor

One of the most famous pieces for organ. The toccata is almost an improvisational piece, and some have suggested that it was composed to test an organ, something Bach did regularly at the time of its composition. And talking about time, he composed it very early in his carrier (he was between 18 and 22!).

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This piece became famous by the musical setting by Charles Gounod of the “Ave Maria”. He based this piece in the prelude. This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music you’ll ever hear (you will read this sentence several times on this pages). It is an ethereal melody.

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Sheet music for guitar

>> Go to Part II

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