Essential Bach at Music Hills.com

Music CD 1

Toccata and Fugue, for organ in D minor, BWV 565 (BC J37): Toccata
Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Air
Prelude and Fugue, for keyboard No. 1 in C major (WTC I/1), BWV 846 (BC L80): Prelude in C major
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049: Mvt. 1, Allegro
Goldberg Variations, for keyboard (Clavier-Ã?bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Aria
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, chorale prelude for organ (SchÃ¼bler Chorale No. 1), BWV 645 (BC K22)
Concerto for violin, strings & continuo No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041: Mvt. 1, Allegro Moderato
Cantata No. 147, 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben,' BWV 147 (BC A174): Jesus bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, joy of man's desiring)
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055: Mvt. 1, Allegro
Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009: BourÃ?Â©e I & BourÃ?Â©e II
Concerto for oboe & violin (or 2 violins), strings & continuo (reconstruction), BWV 1060R: Mvt. 2, Adagio
Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Crucifixus
Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: Praeludium
French Suite, for keyboard No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 (BC L23): Gigue
Prelude for lute in C minor, BWV 999 (BC L171)
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050: Allegro
St. Matthew Passion (MatthÃ¤uspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Wir setzen uns mit TrÃ¤nen ni

Music CD 2

Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047: Mvt. 1, Allegro
Concerto for 2 violins, strings & continuo in D minor ('Double'), BWV 1043: Mvt. 2, Largo, ma non tanto
Partita for lute in E major, BWV 1006a (BC L171): Prelude
Cantata No. 208, 'Was mir behagt,' (Hunt Cantata), BWV 208 (BC G1, G3): Schafe kÃ¶nnen sicher weiden (Sheep may safely graze)
Sonata for viola da gamba & keyboard No. 3 in G minor, BWV 1029: Mvt. 2, Adagio (excerpt)
Italian Concerto, for solo keyboard in F major (Clavier-Ã?bung II/1), BWV 971 (BC L7): Mvt. 1, Allegro
Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Pastoral sinfonia
Concerto for violin, strings & continuo No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041: Mvt. 2, Andante
Partita for keyboard No. 1 in B flat major, BWV 825 (BC L1)
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Menuet
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Badinerie
Concerto for oboe, violin, strings & continuo in F major (reconstruction), BWV 1053R: Siciliano
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Mvt. 1, Allegro
Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: Allemande
Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: Gigue
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053
Cantata No. 22, 'Jesus nahm zu sich die ZwÃ¶lfe,' BWV 22 (BC A48): ErtÃ¶t' uns durch dein' GÃ¼te (Sanctify us by thy goodness)
Concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1056: Mvt. 2, Largo
Concerto for solo organ No. 2 in A minor (after Vivaldi Op. 3/8, RV 522), BWV 593 (BC J86): Mvt. 1, Allegro

Music reviews of Essential Bach

Music Review: The greatest composer of all time!
Rating: 5 Stars

CD 1 begins with a dramatic orchestral version of Toccata in D minor, which is more commonly known as an organ piece. Then it shifts to the soft and soothing sound of Air (Orchestral Suite No. 3), followed by the heavenly melodies of Prelude in C major (a beautifully-played harp solo). Next comes the joyful-sounding Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (1st movement), followed by a serene piano solo called Aria.

Other highlights on CD 1 include the cinematic-sounding Allegro moderato (Violin Concerto No. 1), the upbeat, richly textured Brandenberg Concerto No. 5 (3rd movement), and the exquisite guitar playing in Bourrees I & II (from Cello Suite No. 3) and Prelude in D minor.

Highlights on CD 2 include the respective 1st movements of Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 2 and 3, the brilliant, uplifting guitar melodies in both Prelude (Lute Suite No. 4) and Gigue (Partita No. 1), the cheerful piano solo in Allegro (Italian Concerto), the touchingly subtle harpsichord playing in Largo (Keyboard Concerto No. 5), and the mesmerizing Organ solo in Allegro (Concerto in A minor for organ).

For me, the only thing that prevents this album from being perfect is the omission of the 3rd movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and the 1st movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. But it is still well-deserving of a five-star rating.

Description of Essential Bach

On the plus side, most if not all of the music is instantly recognizable, by melody if not by name. Everything from the Brandenburg Concertos to "Air on a G String" to the B Minor Mass and St. Matthew Passion is represented. Performances range from 1960 to 1993, encompassing both early instrument and modern orchestra interpretations by a wide variety of forces, including Sir Neville Marriner with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Raymond Leppard leading the English Chamber Orchestra. Given such diversity the result is unavoidably a patchwork, albeit one made from the finest materials, and as such is perhaps best treated as a sampler to aid exploration of the vast legacy of one of the very greatest composers who ever lived. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk