# Your favorite J.S. Bach piece **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 29, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553 "2005-12-29T05:52:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/1 "2005-12-29T05:52:44Z")
Scientist and author Lewis Thomas once suggested how we should communicate with the universe: “I would vote for Bach, all of Bach, streamed out into space, over and over again. We would be bragging of course, but it is surely excusable to put the best possible face on at the beginning of such an acquaintance. We can tell the harder truths later.” Bach’s best? There’re so many to choose from! If you held a gun to my head, I think I’d have to say one of the “Brandenburg Concertos,” No. 3 in G Major, Allegro (III). Intricate, passionate, deeply rewarding. It never fails to cheer me up and make me think better of humanity. What’s your favorite, and why? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/2 "2005-12-29T06:33:31Z")
I have always been fond of the ‘Little’ fugue in G minor. I love fugues in general and I arranged that one for a sax quartet. It was really interesting to get inside that music that way. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/3 "2005-12-29T06:36:23Z")
Air for the G String. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/4 "2005-12-29T06:38:36Z")
I am another “Little” Fugue fan. It’s just…awesome, in every way. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/5 "2005-12-29T06:40:19Z")
Heh. FYI—as a matter of fact, the first musical selection on the _Voyager_ record was the first movement from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #2! (It’s a favorite of mine, too.) After that, I’m fond of the prelude to his English Suite #2—mostly for when I’m in a bad mood. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/6 "2005-12-29T07:00:21Z")
Damn good question. I played the _Brandenburg Concerto_, No. 3, in my high school orchestra days, so I definitely have a soft spot for it. I like the first movement better than the third. There’s one passage in the first movement of the Seventh Symphony that gives me chills. In _Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring_, after the first two notes establish a pattern, every note that follows is absolutely right and inevitable. But if I have to pick a favorite, it’s the _Toccata in D Minor_. That piece should be played on the biggest pipe organ you can find and it should shake the earth. But I also remember it from a different setting. My first time ever in Europe was a business trip to Germany, and I managed to get one free day to myself and went to Stuttgart. I was walking back to the train station, and saw a couple of street musicians setting up. I didn’t know how long until they were going to start, and there was a train back to Munich in a few minutes, so I kept walking. Behind me I heard them play the first few notes of the Toccata, and I had to go back. They played it on two accordians, and kicked ass! I never would have thought it could work on that instrument, but these two guys just nailed it. Followed it with the Fugue, then _Winter_ from Vivaldi’s _The Four Seasons_. One of my all-time favorite travel memories. **Zebra** , that wouldn’t be the Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet by any chance, would it? ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/7 "2005-12-29T07:34:55Z")
All you fans have just missed a treat. For the 10 days up to Christmas,\* BBC Radio 3\* broadcast Bach 24 hours a day. In that time they aired every surviving work of the great composer at least once. If you want to buy the complete works it is available on 150 CDs. My favourite is the Goldberg Variations. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/8 "2005-12-29T07:37:52Z")
I’m very fond of the Violin Partita No. 3 in E major (BWV 1006), especially the gavotte. Still, I wouldn’t want to choose one Bach piece as the best - so much of his work was so great. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/9 "2005-12-29T11:34:43Z")
Goldberg Variations, without (much) hesitation ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/10 "2005-12-29T11:48:31Z")
I’m a huge fan of the cantatas. As I’ve said before on this board, I think Actus Tragicus (Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit) is one of the greatest pieces of music ever written. > [@Elendil's Heir](#): > > and why? I can’t say why; I just know that it is. ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/11 "2005-12-29T11:53:30Z")
My vote goes to the Art of Fugue. I’ve got a recording for string quartet and two harpsichords, and a solo piano version. I do not believe that bogus story about a human writing this, or that humans performed it in a recording studio. What in fact happened is, Neil Armstrong discovered these discs buried under the lunar soil. In all the years since, we have no more clue how they came into existence. They’re proof of the existence either of God, or of transcendent alien-light beings. What? ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/12 "2005-12-29T11:56:22Z")
> [@Nancarrow](#): > > They’re proof of the existence either of God, or of transcendent alien-light beings. Oh for what it’s worth, [so are these!](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000031W5A/qid=1135857330/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7365248-7357434?n=507846&s=classical&v=glance) Sorry ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/13 "2005-12-29T14:57:31Z")
I agree wholeheartedly with **Robot Arm** in his description of _Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring_. Sublimely gorgous music. Other Bach favorites… - _Sheep May Safely Graze_ - _Jauchzet, frolocket_ from the _Christmas Oratorio_ - _Goldberg Variations_ ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/14 "2005-12-29T15:48:17Z")
_Wachet auf,_ mostly because of an obscure jazz version called (ironically) _Nightcap._ ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/15 "2005-12-29T16:33:15Z")
Brandenburg Concerto #3. For sentimental reasons: Musette in D Major. One of the pieces I played when learning piano. It also provided me one of my favorite classical jokes: There’s a Yo-Yo Ma/Bobby McFerrin collaboration album where Ma starts on the opening to this, and McFerrin starts out doing the melody to “Purple Haze.” It’s done live, and no one in the audience gets it, probably because they don’t recognize Hendrix if they did recognize Musette. I wondered if I was the only person other than McFerrin and Ma to get the joke first thing without explanation. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/16 "2005-12-29T16:43:43Z")
_Magnificat_. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/17 "2005-12-29T17:14:59Z")
Tough one. I’d have to say either the _Mass in B Minor_ or one of the\* Passions\*. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/18 "2005-12-29T17:56:16Z")
Assuming I’m talking about the same piece as **Beware of Doug** , my vote is for _Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme_, which was written for organ I believe, but I’ve only heard/played on piano (arr. Busoni). There’s something very… thoughtful, pensive, and smooth about the whole thing. No large expressive swells really, but just constant rightness. ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/19 "2005-12-29T19:18:41Z")
I’m a big fan of the Little Fuge in G min. It is intricate, passionate and just downright gorgeous. Also like: Passion in B min Fantasia in C min And the Sonatas for unaccompanied Cello ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553/20 "2005-12-29T19:21:45Z")
I’ve been looking for one of my Bach CDs (Essential Bach), which I finally uncovered. I have to go with Sleepers Awake as well - that’s Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme. Firstly, **Eonwe** , you should hear it done on an organ - some of the most impressive and expressive parts of it are the footpedal work. Secondly, this piece always makes me think of my Mom, who was an accomplished organist - I know I’d heard her play it many, many times. After that, I’d say Sheep may Safely Graze, which also reminds me of my Mom. One of my brothers names the “Little Fugue” (I think). It’s so hard to choose among Bach’s work because it really is so beautiful, all of it. Thank you for this thread - I’m going to listen to some Bach before I head home tonight. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-j-s-bach-piece/337553.md?page=2)