J.S. Bach | Introducing Famous and Representative Works
The songs that are popular today—across not only classical music but also pop and jazz—are deeply influenced by past composers.
Among them, classical music is often called the foundation of music, and it’s no exaggeration to say that Johann Sebastian Bach, known as the “Father of Music,” was one of the figures who laid that very groundwork.
Bach’s music, while carrying a religious hue, is characterized by philosophical depth and intricately refined structure down to the finest details, with melodies of exceptional beauty.
Please take a look into the world of Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers in history.
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J.S. Bach | Introducing Famous and Representative Works (101–110)
Sarabande from Cello Suite No. 6 (unaccompanied)J.S.Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach, a master of Baroque music, also produced a large number of works that have become important repertoire for the modern classical guitar.
Among the guitar arrangements of pieces originally written for instruments other than guitar or lute, many feature distinctive harmonies that cannot be heard on instruments like the violin.
There are also several superb performances of famous cello works arranged for guitar.
Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin, V. ChaconneJ.S.Bach
Composed by Bach—known as the “Father of Music”—when he was 35, this work remains one of the most important solo pieces in the violin repertoire.
Among the six pieces that make up the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, the Chaconne from the Second Partita is the most famous.
Originally, a chaconne refers to a slow, triple-meter dance style of Italian origin, and in Bach’s time it was often used for variation forms that assumed improvisation, known as an ostinato bass.
In this piece as well, a short bass theme is variously ornamented, giving rise to a majestic musical world.
Badinerie, No. 7 from Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067J.S.Bach
It is one of the signature works by J.S.
Bach, a composer representative of the Baroque era.
A lively duple-meter dance with the flute in the spotlight, it is characterized by virtuosic performance.
Showcasing the flute’s appeal to the fullest, this piece has captivated many with its light, graceful melodies and brilliant tone.
It is thought to have been composed between 1717 and 1723, when Bach served as Kapellmeister at the Köthen court.
Frequently used in films, television programs, and commercials, it is beloved by a wide audience.
It is also a popular item in flutists’ repertoires and is often chosen as an encore piece at concerts.
This is a recommended work when you want to savor an elegant atmosphere that lifts the spirit.
Aria from Orchestral Suite No. 3J.S.Bach
It is widely known as Air on the G String.
It is also used at weddings, and the melody played by the violin is simply beautiful.
The string instruments sing with a gentle, expressive tone.
Rather than a passionate, fiery romance, it gives the impression of a calm and composed, mature love.
Cantata No. 190 “Sing to the Lord a New Song”J.S.Bach
A Bach church cantata celebrating the New Year.
Its brilliant scoring and festive tone splendidly express the joy of the season.
The buoyant rhythm of the opening chorus and the cries of “Alleluia” create a radiant atmosphere.
It is said to have been composed for January 1, 1724—the first New Year Bach welcomed in Leipzig.
Although part of the score has unfortunately been lost, modern musicians have reconstructed it, and it is still performed today.
It’s perfect for New Year’s concerts or as background music for the holiday.
With lyrics full of praise and gratitude to God, it inspires hope and resolve for the year ahead.
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043J.S.Bach
In the 18th century, the composer Johann Sebastian Bach was highly active in Germany.
Known as one of the “Three Bs” of German music and featured in Japanese textbooks, he’s familiar to most people.
While many concertos are performed as solos—by a single performer—his Concerto for Two Violins brings out the appeal of a duet through two violin parts, and it is one of Bach’s most famous works for the instrument.
Its melodies employ counterpoint, a technique that mixes multiple lines while preserving each one’s independence, and it remains enduringly popular today.
Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1043J.S.Bach
This piece features two solo violins.
The two violins are on equal footing, continually imitating each other as they unfold the performance.
A musical dialogue emerges—one poses a question, the other responds, and then the first replies again—creating a refined and dignified concerto.
The work is in three movements: the first clearly showcases the dialogue form by alternating between tutti sections and passages centered on the two soloists; the second lets an emotional melody flow seamlessly; and the third builds tension, developing into thrilling music.
Five Little Preludes No. 1, BWV 939 in C majorJ.S.Bach
The Five Little Preludes are works preserved only in a manuscript copy by Johann Peter Kellner, a devotee of Johann Sebastian Bach.
In fact, there is still no definitive resolution to the debate over whether they are truly by Bach.
In No.
1 in C major, BWV 939, a repeated sequence—called a “sequence,” where a motif recurs at different pitch levels—is employed.
To keep the music from becoming flat and monotonous through mere repetition, bringing out nuances through the progression and changes in register can better convey the piece’s appeal.
Six Little Preludes in D major, BWV 936J.S.Bach
Among Johann Sebastian Bach’s works, there are many collections that were compiled and published after his death by pupils and scholars, and the Six Little Preludes is considered one of them.
Because all six pieces display highly developed compositional technique, some suggest that Bach may have written them with the idea of assembling them into a substantial collection.
No.
4 in D major offers a soothing sense of calm and peace.
When performing, listen closely to the interplay of the voices—especially the two right-hand parts that converse with each other—and shape the music with attention to their interactions.
Six Little Preludes in C minor, BWV 934J.S.Bach
A Bach classic for beginners: the Six Little Preludes.
They’re also known as the Six Small Preludes.
Among them, I’d like to recommend the Six Little Preludes in C minor, BWV 934.
It isn’t especially famous compared to the other little preludes, but its difficulty is relatively low, and as long as you can keep the left-hand part steady, it’s a piece that even children who have just started piano lessons can tackle.
There are no conspicuous leaps, so if you have small hands or find chords and jumps challenging, please give it a try!