7 Pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach YOU should listen to this Week

The music of Johann Sebastian Bach has been around and inspiring since its creation. It has gone in and out of popularity, and been rediscovered by significant composers on numerous occasion. Today is Bach's birthday, and as a result, I will be posting this article with 7 pieces I suggest listening to. If you would like to read last year's article, it will be linked here. Also for anyone who's interested, here is a link to a movie I found recently about Bach. Now, let's get into the article!

7. The Magnificat in D Major

I first discovered this Magnificat this year when my school choir sang Sicut Locutus Est (which is the 11th movement). A Magnificat is a work meant to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is also called the Song of Mary, and incorporates text from Luke 1:46-55. In this section of Luke, Mary is visiting her cousin Elisabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Elisabeth praises Mary, using words that would later be partially reflected in Hail Mary (Ave Maria). The text of the Magnificat comes from what Mary says in response to Elisabeth. Here is Bach's Magnificat (you can hear the movement my choir sang at around 23:35):

6. Gloria in Excelsis Deo

This is a cantata written in celebration of the birth of Christ. This cantata was first performed on Christmas day, 1745 in celebration of the end of the Second Silesian War. This Cantata is unique because its words are in Latin, and not derived from the bible. The text for this Cantata was derived from the Gloria and the Doxology . The rest of his Cantatas use either passages from the bible, or poetry from one of his contemporaries. Here is Gloria in Excelsis Deo:

5. Toccata and Fugue in d minor

This is one of Bach's most known works. I just noticed today that this piece really sounds like something Bach might have improvised at first. One interesting thing I found is that Mendelssohn was a large reason as to why this piece was first published in 1833, during the Bach revival period. He also had a performance of it in 1840. This piece is also included in the Disney movie Fantasia, which is another factor to its popularity. Here is Bach's Toccata and Fugue in d minor:

4. Inventions and Sinfonia

These inventions have been helpful in teaching generations of pianists, as well as composers. They were written by Bach to aid his students in learning to play the piano, and compose. Bach wrote as the title for the collection of works:

Honest method, by which the amateurs of the keyboard – especially, however, those desirous of learning – are shown a clear way not only (1) to learn to play cleanly in two parts, but also, after further progress, (2) to handle three obligate parts correctly and well; and along with this not only to obtain good inventions (ideas) but to develop the same well; above all, however, to achieve a cantabile style in playing and at the same time acquire a strong foretaste of composition.
One thing I found interesting is that the pieces are in order by key, and cover 8 of the Major and 7 of the minor keys.

3. The Art of the Fugue

Bach's goal in writing the Art of the Fugue was to experiment with writing instrumental contrapuntal music that derived from one theme. This body consists of 14 fugues, and 4 canons, all in the key of d minor. Bach was the best composer when it came to his use of counterpoint, especially in fugues. This work really demonstrates his skills.

2. Cantata 140 "Sleeper's Wake"

This cantata was based off of the 1599 hymn "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" by Philipp Nicolai. The text and melody are the same as in the original hymn in movements 1,4, and 7. The rest of the texts were provided by an unknown poet. According to my music theory teacher, Bach was writing one cantata every week. It is incredible that Bach was able to produce between 20 and 30 minutes of new music every single week. The days really were longer back then. Here is Cantata no. 140:

1. Harpsichord Concerto no. 1 in d minor

I would just like to say, Bach really liked d minor. At least two pieces on this list are in d minor. 4 if you include the Inventions and Sinfonias. This piece is by far my favorite piece by Bach. I included it as number one last year, and I will do the same this year. This concerto is just really exciting to listen to. It would appear that Bach first sketched the movements in the 1720's, and it was originally intended to have a violin as the solo instrument, rather than the harpsichord. Here is Bach's first Harpsichord Concerto:

Sources

All Previous Weekly7s

Thanks for reading this! I will see you tomorrow in my commentaries on Book 15 of the Confucian Analects [Hopefully]!

Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, As well as my composer birthday posts (Note) In order to encourage meaningful feedback on the platform, I will check comment trails of users who leave superficial comments (ie "Awesome post," or "Upvoted.") and will mute any users who exhibit a pattern of leaving "spammy" comments.

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redbeardguy (53) · 7 years ago (edited)

I need to get back to my Bach. Are you a Glen Gould guy btw?

Anyway, for everyone that's interested, i would also recommend to check out Chaconne from Partita No.2 for Violin. Absolutely beautiful piece, that showcases the maturity of Bach's composition:

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classical-radio (65) · 7 years ago

I can't remember if you have already joined, but come to our classical music discord!

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vanessahampton (56) · 7 years ago

I didnt grow up with classical music as its not a thing in my country but i love wating the artistes perform. It seems to take a lot of concentration and zeal.

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Come join our community discord, we welcome classical music lovers as well!

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Magnificat is one of favourite pieces. But recently I played the cantata 140, the aria with unison strings is the one of the best.

remlaps (74) · 7 years ago

Guess I'll be listening to these at my desk tomorrow! It's hard for me to pick a favorite. I guess maybe Toccata and Fugue in d minor. Or maybe the harpsichord concerto. I agree that writing a cantata every week was a pretty amazing feat.

Thanks for the suggestions! I enjoyed listening to these at my desk on Thursday. Here's a playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl33WhshFwGISSuWflYsvo5Ae3k6OvBT1