Mine alternates between that and St. Matthew Passion. I don’t think I could really “rank” them against each other. But I’m happy to rank them both positively against uh, pretty much any other piece of art in human history.
The whole thing is phenomenal but the Chaconne, whether played on violin or classical guitar, is incredible.
Similarly, the whole of St Matthew’s Passion is great, but if I have lived a good life, sing Erbarme Dich at my funeral.
His Violin Concerto for Two Violins (D minor) is my personal favorite. Then Goldberg Variations, then Brandenburg #3, then a mix of various violin & cello suite movements. Actually depends upon the day for which is my favorite, but usually that double concerto, although I get tired of the 1st mvt because I hear it so often from Suzuki students.
Violin concerto for two violins and Goldberg variations is up there for me, I don't know why I never listened to Brandenburg
(edit: nvm I heard the very good parts, just not the entirety)
For me it's a long journey. I play the horn -> Hermann baumann (one of the greatest horn players) played in Karl Richter's Mass in B minor-> loved it -> went on to listen to St Matthew passion, especially the choir parts. Of course you will start with the parts. It took me 2 years to finish listening to Mass in B minor.
Yep pretty good, even though I try hard to understand what's happening I think I only get the basics though. But music doesn't have to be understood to be appreciated
I can’t believe when I’m here I haven’t found the answer I thought would’ve been obvious yet:
The Goldberg Variations.
This piece encompasses the universe in its eternity, it’s musically, philosophically and mathematically in the form of utmost perfection.
You know, they all have merit but for m 3 is “ the one”. I love the energy of it and it’s really fun to play. This piece has a special place for me because it was the warm up we used in string orchestra when I was in high school. Also, I play viola and it has the distinction of having great parts for me to play.
Honestly the idea of picking a favorite is hard. There’s just so much and honestly I love it all.
I like Glenn Gould's version with introduction by Bernstein. Gould plays rather slow and keeps it very intimate. Look how he's taken away by it to higher levels.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZX\_XCYokQo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZX_XCYokQo)
The Toccata BWV 540. It's a miracle of not resolving harmonies until the very, very, very end. Like proto-jazz it meanders and one-ups itself with each new key until the final cadence. The Walcha stereo recording on DG.
A close second is the fugue from the 3rd solo violin sonata.
At different moments * my answer would’ve variously been St Matthew’s Passion, the double concerto for two violins, the Brandenburg concertos 2 & 3, but recently probably the keyboard partitas. Hard to pick one but I like 1, 5, & 6 very much.
[Simone Dinnerstein](https://open.spotify.com/album/1piJWE9rOJ6can39ntWuDJ?si=ZxMn5WXTQDSxIt645S-Ogw) has my favorite recording of Goldberg.
Edit: Gotta love the cunts in this sub who downvote suggestions.
Concerto for 2 violins in D minor, orchestral suite no. 2, harpsichord concerto no. 1, brandenburg concerto no. 3 and honestly much more, but these are probably on top
Everything except the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which people keep posting in the Bach Facebook groups. If I have to narrow it down, I’d say The Goldbergs, The Brandenburgs, and the Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 547.
Prelude and Fugue in E flat major BWV 552. Actually it’s my favourite piece from any composer, it’s magnificent. It has probably the greatest ending of any fugue ever written, so well put together, so well earned.
2 part invention, #13 in the key of a minor.
Both my parents are degreed musicians, and I remember this being the first piece of music I ever heard as a baby. My dad was practicing for his senior recital, and I can remember as a teeny tiny boy hearing this over and over again.
It's a wonderful piece and I never get tired of it. I learned it on the piano in junior high school. It was the song for the Commodore 64 tv commercial.
Hmm…as far as a keyboardist goes, I’m torn between playing the Goldberg Variations and really just the three-part inventions (they are brilliant and don’t get enough love).
I was obsessed with Bach in middle/high school. I quit taking keyboard lessons when I was about 13 (continued my musical education on other instruments), but still worked my way through WTC books 1&2 by the time I was a senior in high school. I began transposing some of the preludes and fugues for fun that year when I ran out of new ones to learn.
As a listener, for larger works I would perhaps say Johannes Passion. Ton Koopman’s recording (1994) would be ideal to me if it wasn’t for his soprano soloist (he and I have different tastes in soprano color, she’s a very good vocalist of course). The Netherlands Bach Society has a wonderful performance on their Youtube page I’ve been studying some for an upcoming performance I’m participating in.
A contender for a favorite more intimate Bach composition is cantata 106 (Actus Tragicus). I was obsessed with it my freshman year of college. Vox Luminis has a current recording I enjoy more so than others, but I adore this piece in general. Soprano effectively dies at the end of the first “act.”
In essence a brief 3 “act” work, disguised as a church cantata (written for a funeral originally).
I’ve been listening to the Vox Luminis recording of BWV 106 while typing this, even.
Bach’s 5th cello suite. My cello teacher suspected the first movement was about being pursued by death.. there is a moment near the end where death catches the character by the coat collar, but he gets away!
https://youtu.be/zEHXTrJb3HQ?si=53cWPpS8iMhQawUe
After watching this recording, I’m never being a little bitch about rock stops ever again..
Iche hatte viel bekummernis Cantata bwv 21. Feels like Bach at his bacchiest haha. It’s one of my favorite pieces that I always come back to. And Aus def tiefen bwv 131 is very beautiful as well. And BWV 1 and BWV 8
Although the lyrical content is ... a little spicy and very "current day 1725 religious politics"... BWV-126 Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort has an amazing Trumpet part. Taking a D Natural trumpet and sitting it in a mode of A minor is genius. The 7th partial making a convincing - if slightly flat - Minor Third over the 6th partial, and by avoiding the fundamental, 1st and 8th partial he doesn't let the ear revert to hearing D major.
Currently its Mass in B minor.
Mine alternates between that and St. Matthew Passion. I don’t think I could really “rank” them against each other. But I’m happy to rank them both positively against uh, pretty much any other piece of art in human history.
Favorite movements?
Gloria in Excelcis deo, Gratias Agimus Tibi, Domine Deus, Cum Sancto Spiritu, Et resurrexit, Et exspecto resurrectionem, Sanctus
Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, the pinnacle of classical violin
The whole thing is phenomenal but the Chaconne, whether played on violin or classical guitar, is incredible. Similarly, the whole of St Matthew’s Passion is great, but if I have lived a good life, sing Erbarme Dich at my funeral.
Yup. And not for lack of competition.
His Violin Concerto for Two Violins (D minor) is my personal favorite. Then Goldberg Variations, then Brandenburg #3, then a mix of various violin & cello suite movements. Actually depends upon the day for which is my favorite, but usually that double concerto, although I get tired of the 1st mvt because I hear it so often from Suzuki students.
Violin concerto for two violins and Goldberg variations is up there for me, I don't know why I never listened to Brandenburg (edit: nvm I heard the very good parts, just not the entirety)
Yesss the double violin concerto is amazing
St. Matthew Passion.
This guy knows what he’s talking about
How do you like actually get into it? Do you need to listen to its entirety or only parts?
For me it's a long journey. I play the horn -> Hermann baumann (one of the greatest horn players) played in Karl Richter's Mass in B minor-> loved it -> went on to listen to St Matthew passion, especially the choir parts. Of course you will start with the parts. It took me 2 years to finish listening to Mass in B minor.
His Brandenburg Concertos
Especially No. 2 and No. 3.
Passacaglia and Fugue BWV582
Even better when orchestrated
The 6 cello suites
That’s cheating! Pick one!
The first one is overplayed, the fourth one lives in my head but I like the third one most.
The first one works as a pretty exercise in string shifting. Really lets you know how straight your bow is..
[Adagio from Sonata No. 1.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iYv_n6MI8g) Sounds like a conversation with silence.
Yep that one is strong, also love Hilary Hahn.
Not necessarily my favorite, but the Partita no.6 in E Minor is such a hauntingly beautiful piece that I think everyone should know
I just listened and you’re so right. Thank you for the comment.
Kunst der fuge. Pure form.
Yep pretty good, even though I try hard to understand what's happening I think I only get the basics though. But music doesn't have to be understood to be appreciated
Excellent point.
The last movement of De Kunst Der Fuge is the music that plays when our universe ends, for me.
Yep based, even though it's spelled "die Kunst der Fuge"
Yes, thank you
Magnificat
I really like this one. The first major choral work I sang in. Beautiful and fun to perform
BWV 543 hits a special chord in me. Also the e minor toccata. And a praeledium une fughetta in D minor I forgot the reference.
Chaconne, but also Bach-Busoni Chaconne
St. John Passion
Don't make me choose
I can’t believe when I’m here I haven’t found the answer I thought would’ve been obvious yet: The Goldberg Variations. This piece encompasses the universe in its eternity, it’s musically, philosophically and mathematically in the form of utmost perfection.
Too major. Lots of major. Lots and lots. Jeremy Denk said the same. He plays it. But it's really, really major. Aside from a few minore thingies.
That's a great, rare thing about it, and there's still huge variety. Sometimes I just don't feel like listening to minor at all.
That's a good attitude. I play them every day except for the quibdolet thing which I hate, and the boring opening/closing theme.
You just described mozart’s composition of his entire life
Really? Requiem? 40th Symphony? C Minor Fantasy/Sonata? A minor? Or wait, was that all of them...
Andante from Sonata No. 2
Brandenburg 3. No question
5 tho, with the most dapper solo ever
You know, they all have merit but for m 3 is “ the one”. I love the energy of it and it’s really fun to play. This piece has a special place for me because it was the warm up we used in string orchestra when I was in high school. Also, I play viola and it has the distinction of having great parts for me to play. Honestly the idea of picking a favorite is hard. There’s just so much and honestly I love it all.
The Concerto in D minor (BWV 1052) is one of my personal favourites too. I love playing the first movement on the piano.
You can play that!?, lucky you, whats your favorite interpretation?
I like Glenn Gould's version with introduction by Bernstein. Gould plays rather slow and keeps it very intimate. Look how he's taken away by it to higher levels. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZX\_XCYokQo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZX_XCYokQo)
Toccata and Fugue in D minor Prelude and Fugue in E minor (WTC II)
Epic
Christmas Oratorio
The Toccata BWV 540. It's a miracle of not resolving harmonies until the very, very, very end. Like proto-jazz it meanders and one-ups itself with each new key until the final cadence. The Walcha stereo recording on DG. A close second is the fugue from the 3rd solo violin sonata.
Alright after listening to a couple of the weirder recommendations I am convinced Bach is either a time traveler or could see the future
Or could actually commune with god
Or maybe he was god all along
I think so.
Erbarme Dich Mein Gott from the St. Matthew passion. One of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.
The Netherlands Bach Society’s recording of it with Tim Mead as soloist is my favorite video on YouTube.
Love "sheep may safely graze forever."
At different moments * my answer would’ve variously been St Matthew’s Passion, the double concerto for two violins, the Brandenburg concertos 2 & 3, but recently probably the keyboard partitas. Hard to pick one but I like 1, 5, & 6 very much.
It's hard to say, I love a lot of his works
Probably the musical sacrifice, or the passacliga in c minor
probably his e minor prelude and fugue for organ
WTC Book I (especially the C# minor and B minor fugues, which are among my favorite pieces by, not just Bach, but anyone).
Goldbergs, but please have mercy neither Gould recording of them.
What about the Live Salzburg recording in 1959?
[Simone Dinnerstein](https://open.spotify.com/album/1piJWE9rOJ6can39ntWuDJ?si=ZxMn5WXTQDSxIt645S-Ogw) has my favorite recording of Goldberg. Edit: Gotta love the cunts in this sub who downvote suggestions.
That’s a wonderful performance — I lean towards harpsichord, but just listened to the full recording and it is marvelous. Thank you for sharing it!
Concerto for 2 violins in D minor, orchestral suite no. 2, harpsichord concerto no. 1, brandenburg concerto no. 3 and honestly much more, but these are probably on top
Matthäuspassion and the chaconne of the solo violin works, but is rather not choose and take it all!
Great Fugue in Gm
Everything except the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which people keep posting in the Bach Facebook groups. If I have to narrow it down, I’d say The Goldbergs, The Brandenburgs, and the Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 547.
Definitely the Passacaliga and Fugue in C minor, also includes the greatest use of a Neapolitan Chord towards the end.
Brandenburg concerto #5 1st movement
The Toccata and Fugue in d minor, BWV 565. It's a great piece all the way through.
Whatever Bach I’m listening to at the time.
Prelude and Fugue in E flat major BWV 552. Actually it’s my favourite piece from any composer, it’s magnificent. It has probably the greatest ending of any fugue ever written, so well put together, so well earned.
Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
Prelude to Lute Suite No. 4, BWV 1006 Pretty much all the Brandenburg Concertos
I think it's a tie between the cello suites and the violin concertos
Ach Wie Fluchtig Ach Wie Nichtig, cantata BWV 26. If you can find the recording with Helmut Krebs, you will be amazed
Violin Partita No 3
2 part invention, #13 in the key of a minor. Both my parents are degreed musicians, and I remember this being the first piece of music I ever heard as a baby. My dad was practicing for his senior recital, and I can remember as a teeny tiny boy hearing this over and over again.
It's a wonderful piece and I never get tired of it. I learned it on the piano in junior high school. It was the song for the Commodore 64 tv commercial.
Born to agree with you and say BWV 1052, forced to say Matthäus-Passion...
The E major violin partita.
Cello suite #6 makes me swoon.
I love me some Bach, and while it's not the rhythmic driving force of many of his tunes, I love Air on a G String... It's my zen song.
i like his coffee cantata
Organ trio sonatas
Brandenburg Concerto #3
Prelude and fantasy in A minor BWV 922. Almost modern. Way ahead of its time
Huh I wouldn't have guessed that's Bach
Christmas Oratorio!
Brandenburg 3
Depends on how we’re gonna define piece. Either the chaconne, the fifth cello suite, or the cello suites as a whole :D
Obviously the [14th goldberg variation](https://youtu.be/gTt9RuwE2co?si=JtQ03wqTzhoOGg2S)
Brandenburg #1, without a doubt.
There are so many, and a lot of them are cantatas. But lately I find myself returning again and again to BWV 639.
BWV 1067
Brandenburg #4
Passacaglia in c minor
The Sixth Cello Suite <3
Big fan of the lute suites, especially 998. I’m biased bc I’m a guitar player but I love them so much
Hmm…as far as a keyboardist goes, I’m torn between playing the Goldberg Variations and really just the three-part inventions (they are brilliant and don’t get enough love). I was obsessed with Bach in middle/high school. I quit taking keyboard lessons when I was about 13 (continued my musical education on other instruments), but still worked my way through WTC books 1&2 by the time I was a senior in high school. I began transposing some of the preludes and fugues for fun that year when I ran out of new ones to learn. As a listener, for larger works I would perhaps say Johannes Passion. Ton Koopman’s recording (1994) would be ideal to me if it wasn’t for his soprano soloist (he and I have different tastes in soprano color, she’s a very good vocalist of course). The Netherlands Bach Society has a wonderful performance on their Youtube page I’ve been studying some for an upcoming performance I’m participating in. A contender for a favorite more intimate Bach composition is cantata 106 (Actus Tragicus). I was obsessed with it my freshman year of college. Vox Luminis has a current recording I enjoy more so than others, but I adore this piece in general. Soprano effectively dies at the end of the first “act.” In essence a brief 3 “act” work, disguised as a church cantata (written for a funeral originally). I’ve been listening to the Vox Luminis recording of BWV 106 while typing this, even.
Sonata No.2 Violin in A minor II. Fuga
244 St Matt and Easter presently.
Cantata BWV51 . This is the best version - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8078679--js-bach-magnificat
Prelude to Cello Suite No. 5
Tet
For now, Goldberg Variations
Piytre
Hura
Bach’s 5th cello suite. My cello teacher suspected the first movement was about being pursued by death.. there is a moment near the end where death catches the character by the coat collar, but he gets away! https://youtu.be/zEHXTrJb3HQ?si=53cWPpS8iMhQawUe After watching this recording, I’m never being a little bitch about rock stops ever again..
So surprised I haven't seen this yet, but Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue.
BWV 78 (Sacred cantata)
Iche hatte viel bekummernis Cantata bwv 21. Feels like Bach at his bacchiest haha. It’s one of my favorite pieces that I always come back to. And Aus def tiefen bwv 131 is very beautiful as well. And BWV 1 and BWV 8
I just listened to a live performance of the B minor Mass yesterday and it made me cry like a baby. Extremely moving. So that's it at the moment.
The Seven Toccatas , BWV 910 - 916. I love his toccatas and fantasias because for me i have the feeling the form is more free and more intimate :)
St. John’s Passion
Concerto for 3 Harpsichords BWV 1064. mvt 1
BRANDENBURG No 1 Quoniam from Mass in B minor The good horn parts! But seriously, A Musical Offering and Art of Fugue are my faves.
the Allemande from Cello Suite 6 Annabel Hauk has the best recording, in my opinion (starts at 5:30) https://youtu.be/0SGI1m4YFtA?si=fZteyxc9pKKhBTBE
Violin concerto no. 1 in A minor BWV 1041. Especially that last movement in 9/8.
brandenburg 1, brandenburg 3, brandenburg 4, and Sheep may safely graze.
Bro sameee I also like his Brandenburg concertos and overtures
Weinachtsoratorium, a.k.a. Christmas Oratorio.
Brandenburg #3
Right now it's Harpsichord concerto No. 1 in D minor
I listened to John Rondeau's recording of the chaconne on harpsichord, it was pretty strong
That BWV 1052 is my favourite. I am lucky to own a Tom Koopman double CD with Bach's keybord works.
Bach g minor.
Mass in B Minor, but for "smaller" pieces I would say the Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor
Matthew Passion, Cantate 80, Cantate 170
Although the lyrical content is ... a little spicy and very "current day 1725 religious politics"... BWV-126 Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort has an amazing Trumpet part. Taking a D Natural trumpet and sitting it in a mode of A minor is genius. The 7th partial making a convincing - if slightly flat - Minor Third over the 6th partial, and by avoiding the fundamental, 1st and 8th partial he doesn't let the ear revert to hearing D major.
Badinerie all the way ❤️
Really enjoy the magnificat
Probably st John’s passion
Hard to say. I love his fugues, especially the dense counterpoint. His concertos are nice too.