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 (161–170)
Toccata and Fugue in D minorJ.S.Bach
Composed by Bach at the age of 21, this is a famous organ piece.
The intro is often played in comedy sketches and anime.
I imagine some of you have found yourselves humming it when you want to gloss over something that went wrong or turn tragedy into laughter.
It’s one of those pieces everyone—from children to the elderly—knows, yet few know the title.
Fugue in D minorJ.S.Bach
This piece, affectionately known as the “Little Fugue in G Minor,” is surely one of the most popular works by Bach, the father of music.
Structured as a four-voice fugue, it is meticulously crafted using counterpoint.
With its strong role as music dedicated to God in church, its solemn and majestic sonority becomes ever more magnificent the more you listen, and it never grows tiresome.
Jesus, Joy of Man’s DesiringJ.S.Bach
Although originally composed for orchestra and choir, Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” is a beloved classic among piano learners and is frequently performed at recitals.
Its elegant, serene atmosphere is perfect for Christmas, when you want to indulge in a slightly richer mood with gifts and festive treats.
It’s also recommended for showcasing at parties or family meals.
You might even enjoy quietly savoring the afterglow of a party while listening to a piano performance of this piece.
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, No. 1, BWV 846, PreludeJ.S.Bach
The Well-Tempered Clavier, a collection of works for keyboard by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Among the two volumes consisting of preludes and fugues in all 24 keys, the piece most frequently heard is the Prelude No.
1 in C major, BWV 846, included in the first volume.
This piece is also known as the accompaniment to Charles Gounod’s Ave Maria.
While neither reading the score nor performing it is particularly difficult, precise finger control is crucial to achieve a beautiful performance.
For the performer, it might be considered a work that carries a certain sense of tension.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s DesiringJ.S.Bach
This is a church cantata said to have been composed by Bach in 1723 for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It consists of ten movements, and the final chorale is widely known as “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” Many people today may recognize it as background music in classical settings.
Bach, often called the father of music, wrote many works employing refined counterpoint.
Air on the G StringJ.S.Bach
Finally, I will introduce just one piece from classical music, a treasure trove of instrumental works.
J.S.
Bach, a composer of the 17th century, is arguably the greatest composer in the Western tradition, having systematized and created numerous compositional techniques.
The harmonic progression of “Air on the G String” continues to be adapted in Western popular music to this day.
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988J.S.Bach
There are quite a few classical pieces that have become associated with fear simply because they were used as soundtracks in films.
One such piece is the set of harpsichord variations published by Bach—revered as the “Father of Music”—in 1741, commonly known as the Goldberg Variations.
As music, it demands a high level of performance technique, and it remains a masterpiece of classical music that performers around the world continue to take on, from the renowned interpretation by the shockingly brilliant pianist Glenn Gould onward.
At the same time, if you’ve seen a certain film, you might find this work overwhelmingly ominous.
In the 1990 masterpiece The Silence of the Lambs, the piece is used in a shocking scene to heighten the fear to the utmost.
The music’s very image may be altered for you, so those who haven’t seen the film yet should be forewarned.
