Bach,J.S. / London Philharmonic Orch / Mawe 50 Most Essential Bach Masterpieces CD

J.S. Bach (1685-1750), quite possibly the greatest musical genius history has ever seen, had a talent so great it was unmatched by any of the composers of his time, and he is known today as one of the few composers to have never written a single piece of inferior music. A man of deep religious convictions, Bach believed he was a mere vessel of God's creativity and sacred music formed the core of his prolific output as a composer. Known during his lifetime as a virtuoso on the organ, Bach's talent as a composer was virtually unknown for almost 80 years after his death until Felix Mendelssohn led a revival in Bach's music in Berlin. As the principal representative for the baroque era, Bach composed a massive collection of works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments over the course of his life. On this compilation, we have gathered 50 of his best-known compositions that together will please both new fans and old. We introduce you to one of the world's great composers performed by some of today's best orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Opera Orchestra, opera singers such as Miah Persson, and the organist Otto Winter.

1. Prelude and Fugue, for Keyboard No. 1 in C Major (WTC I/1), BWV 846 (BC L80): Prelude 2. Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: Air 3. Toccata and Fugue, for Organ in D minor, BWV 565 (BC J37) 4. Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings ; Continuo in D minor ('Double'), BWV 1043: Vivace 5. Goldberg Variations, for Keyboard (Clavier-bung IV), BWV 988 (BC L9): Aria 6. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Badinerie 7. Cantata No. 147, 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben,' BWV 147 (BC A174): Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring 8. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: Allegro 9. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, Chorale Prelude for Organ (Sch?bler Chorale No. 1), BWV 645 (BC K22) 10. Mass in B minor, for Soloists, Chorus ; Orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Et Resurrexit 11. Two-Part Invention, for Keyboard No. 8 in F Major, BWV 779 (BC L49) 12. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings ; Continuo No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1056: Largo (Arioso) 13. Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: Prelude 14. Magnificat, for 5 Voices, 5-Part Chorus, Orchestra ; Continuo in D Major, BWV 243 (BC E14): Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum 15. Suite for Keyboard in B Flat Major (Doubtful), BWV 821 (BC L169): Prelude 16. Concerto for Violin, Strings ; Continuo No. 1 in a Minor, BWV 1041: Allegro 17. Fugue for Organ in G minor ('Little'), BWV 578 (BC J66) 18. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BWV 1066: Forlane 19. Sonata for Flute ; Keyboard in E Flat Major, BWV 1031: Siciliano 20. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B Flat Major, BWV 1051: Allegro 21. Two-Part Invention, for Keyboard No. 13 in A minor, BWV 784 (BC L54) 22. Concerto for 2 Harpsichords, Strings ; Continuo in C minor, BWV 1060: Adagio 23. Prelude and Fugue, for Organ in C Major (Acht Kleine Praeludien Und Fugen No. 1; Doubtful), BWV 553 (BC J28) 24. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in Six Parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Sinfonia in G Major 25. Prelude for Lute in C minor, BWV 999 (BC L171) 26. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049: Allegro 27. Partita for Solo Violin No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: Preludio 28. Cantata No. 208, 'Was Mir Behagt,' (Hunt Cantata), BWV 208 (BC G1, G3): Sch?fe K÷nnen Sicher Weide (Sheep May Safely Graze) 29. Concerto for Violin, Strings ; Continuo No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042: Allegro 30. Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings ; Continuo in D minor ('Double'), BWV 1043: Largo Ma Non Tanto 31. Fantasia and Fugue, for Organ in G minor ('Great'), BWV 542 (BC J42, 57, 67) 32. Concerto for Oboe ; Violin (Or 2 Violins), Strings ; Continuo (Reconstruction), BWV 1060R: Allegro 33. Overture in the French Manner, Partita for Keyboard in B minor (Clavier-bung Ii/2), BWV 831: Overture 34. Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings ; Continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052: Allegro 35. Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel Herunter, Chorale Prelude for Organ (Sch?bler Chorale No. 6), BWV 650 (BC K27) 36. Concerto for Violin, Strings ; Continuo No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041: Adagio 37. Suite for Solo Cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: Prelude 38. Sonata for Flute ; Keyboard in C Major, BWV 1033: Andante - Presto 39. Easter Oratorio (Oster-Oratorium: 'Kommt, Eilet Und Laufet'), BWV 249 (BC D8): Adagio in B minor 40. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050: Allegro 41. Suite for Solo Cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: Sarabande 42. Concerto for Oboe D'amore, Strings ; Continuo in a Major (Reconstruction), BWV 1055R: Allegro 43. Fugue for Lute in G minor, BWV 1000 44. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B Flat Major, BWV 1051: Adagio Ma Non Tanto 45. French Suite, for Keyboard No. 4 in E Flat Major, BWV 815 (BC L22): Allemande 46. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Rondeau 47. The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), for Keyboard and Chamber Instruments, BWV 1079: Largo 48. Magnificat, for 5 Voices, 5-Part Chorus, Orchestra ; Continuo in D Major, BWV 243 (BC E14): Et Exultavit Spiritus Meus 49. Partita for Solo Violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: Chaconne 50. Mass in B minor, for Soloists, Chorus ; Orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Dona Nobis Pacem