![]() ![]() When Bach was working, the cello was a comparatively new instrument. Coming in at number 7 is the fantastically beautiful Cello Suite No. Sadly, Bach was not able to finish the collection because he died right in the middle of a movement. In theory, it all sounds pretty boring, but each counterpoint is not only a technical masterpiece, but also a highly expressive piece of music. Bach showcases every compositional method and technique known at the time, and he was seemingly very proud of his achievement. It’s absolutely amazing, but in The Art of the Fugue, Johann Sebastian Bach explores the possibilities of a single musical theme. As critic wrote, the writing of “fugue are exercises in a dead language.” For Bach, the ideas about music and culture had changed dramatically, but that did not prevent him from composing his most celebrated collection of contrapuntal movements. Late in Bach’s life, counterpoint and all those strict rules of writing music were considered seriously old-fashioned. 4 in D major, BWV 1069 (Bach Collegium Japan Masaaki Suzuki, cond.) Johann Sebastian Bach: Orchestra Suite No. Coming in at number 9 is one of Bach’s most refined orchestral compositions, the Orchestra Suite No. Week in and week out he composed or compiled a new cantata, with roughly 100 such works written in his first two years in office. Luckily for us, Bach’s frustration translated into an astonishing level of productivity. Bach was really frustrated and quickly started looking for a new job. Can you believe that Bach almost did not get the job as Thomaskantor at Leipzig? The head of the search committee wrote, “since we cannot get the best- Telemann and Graupner had declined the offer-we will have to settle for average.” That average guy turned out to be Johann Sebastian Bach, who almost immediately got into trouble with church authorities. In all, this gorgeous cantata contains ten movements that alternate recitatives and arias, and two of the most stunningly beautiful chorale settings, ever. Johann Sebastian Bach: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (Jane Bryden, soprano Jeffrey Thomas, tenor Drew Minter, counter-tenor Jan Opalach, bass-baritone The Bach Ensemble Joshua Rifkin, cond.)īach composed this cantata during his tenure in Weimar, but it was first performed in Leipzig, on 2 July 1723. Coming in at number 10, representatively, is one of Bach’s most gorgeous church cantatas, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life). ![]() ![]() Here then is my personal top 10 list of music by the great Johann Sebastian Bach. But it turned out to be super easy because there is no actual difference in quality from one gorgeous piece to the next. When I first decided to make a personal top 10 list of music by the great Johann Sebastian Bach, I thought it might be a horribly difficult task. All these traits are wrapped into some of the most gorgeous music ever conceived in this world. In addition, he was keenly aware of the emotional and spiritual impact of his music, and he had great humility in his faith. Johann Sebastian Bach was supremely confident in his musical craft, and self-assured in his handling of musical styles. And what is more, he communicates a deep level of spirituality and understanding of what it means to be human in every single composition. This means no disrespect to all the other wonderful composers, but Johann Sebastian Bach represents to me the perfect balance of intellect and emotion. For me personally, he is the greatest of them all. Sometimes my schoolmates want to know who is the best and greatest composer of Western classical music, and my answer is always the same, Johann Sebastian Bach. Whether it is Liszt or Mozart, Schubert or Handel, Monteverdi or Mahler, the universe of classical music seems endless. I love all kinds and styles of music, but my true love belongs to classical music. ![]()
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