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This is a short list with selected Bach pieces, based on my preferences.

I’ve been listening to Bach for quite a long time, and he is BY FAR my favorite composer. I’d say I have a pretty good idea about his overall body of work, even though I don’t play any music (and don’t know any musical theory) myself.

You might find this list useful if you want to get into classical music, or if you’ve already listened to Bach for some time but want another person’s perspective to maybe get to know about some other pieces and/or interpretations.

Note that I find interpretations to be extremely important. The same piece played by two different people/orchestras/etc almost always sounds vastly different. One interpretation can sound like the best music ever composed & played, while another can sound like the most boring and mediocre piece ever made. As such, my general advice when it comes to Bach in particular and classical music in general, is to not judge a piece based on a single (or few) interpretation. You might find one that you really like, eventually.

At the time of writing, if I had to keep only 16 Bach pieces in existence, I would keep these (specific interpretations), in no particular order:

  1. Gould – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (Stereo Surround Version) : Aria (Redbook Stereo) – That which made Gould famous. This is the definitive interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variations Aria. Bright, sharp, nostalgic, timid, elegant, simply beautiful… there’s nothing else quite like it. Bach & Gould in a nutshell.
  2. Herreweghe/Scholl – Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: 26. Agnus Dei – One of the many masterclasses by Andreas Scholl. Needs no further description.
  3. Herreweghe – Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, Kyrie: No. 1, Kyrie eleison – Pious, fearful, bold. The opening (first ~35 seconds) is simply stunning.
  4. S. Richter – Prelude and Fugue: No. 8 in E-Flat Minor, BWV 853 – Bach’s best prelude and perhaps his most unique piece out of his entire body of work. Sviatoslav Richter at his finest. Nostalgic, slightly mournful and somewhat confused. Decide for yourself, though.
  5. S. Richter – The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor, BWV 849: Prelude – Another incredible prelude. Nostalgic, dreamy, somewhat resigned.
  6. S. Richter – The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor, BWV 849: Fugue – Bach’s most amazing fugue. Sober, serious, powerful.
  7. Gardiner – St. John Passion, BWV 245 / Part One: No.9 Aria (Sopran) : Ich folge dir gleichfalls" – Bright, happy, joyous, pious, almost naive. Perhaps my favorite vocal work. Stunning flute & voice dialogue.
  8. Herreweghe/Scholl – Johannes-Passion, BWV 245, I. Teil: 7. Aria (Alt) “Von den Stricken meiner Sünden” – Anxious, hopeful, haunting. Another Scholl masterclass.
  9. Herreweghe – Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244, Erster Teil: No. 1, Chorus I & II “Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen” – The opening (up until 01:13) is Bach’s absolute heaviest piece of music. The entire sequence has a certain sense of finality/end-of-the-world to it. The short repetition from 01:04 to 01:08 is almost scary and too good to have been composed. Listen at your own risk.
  10. Ross – Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826: I. Sinfonia – Best interpretation of the ‘Sinfonia’ that I know of. Scott Ross plays it to perfection and then some. It’s somewhat difficult to describe it. I’ve heard it described as religious, but it doesn’t quite feel that way to me. The first 45 seconds or so are somewhat regretful. After that it becomes quite robotic but in a good way, especially when the fugue section begins at 02:38 (which is the best part).
  11. Bernstein/Gould – Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo – Calm, serene, care-free. A must-listen.
  12. Wallfisch – Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, BWV 1041: I. — – One violin concerto to rule them all. Catchy, elegant, somewhat nostalgic.
  13. Leonhardt – Art of Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge) , BWV 1080: xx. Unfinished Fugue, On B A C H – Bach’s famous unfinished fugue. If music was a sledgehammer and it hit you in the head.
  14. Gould – Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830: I. Toccata – Very unique Bach piece. Dreamy, tranceful, nostalgic. Best part is from 07:05 to 07:50
  15. Bernstein/Gould – Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056: I. ? – Among the best openings in Bach’s orchestral works. Very dance-like and with a sort of ‘smug’ or very confident tone to it. Gould & Bernstein play it the best I’ve heard it being played.
  16. Mields/Herreweghe – Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, BWV 84: 1. Aria “Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke” – Powerful and serene. Excellent vocals from Dorothée Mields.