Tell us your favourite Bach organ works!

[Thomas Dressler]

Violinschluessel, hope you don't mind that I'm chuckling to myself that you like BWV 593 so much. It's an arrangement (by Bach) of a concerto by the Italian Vivaldi!

I'm not making fun of you, hope you know that. I actually have some ideas that our musical preferences might be genetic. I have thought, sometimes, that they might come about because musical grammar (rhythm, melody, form) are highly influenced by the language someone speaks, but I am not fully convinced this is so. I think there might be something even more basic, genetic, about this. I'm about 3/4 German, and I have a definite appreciation for German music. However, the other 3/4 of me is a combination of Dutch, Irish, Scottish, and French. I have another very strong preference for French music.

I've also noticed, informally, that among my non western friends, the Japanese seem to have an especially strong flair for Bach compared to other Asian people. This, of course, is just informal observation, but I am fascinated by the questions about genes and personality, and by extension, musical preferences.

[Violinschlüssel]

Making fun of me? No, I haven't thought it at all. Quite the other way: I profoundly appreciate your comment and news: I humbly have to admit that I didn't know that my fav Bach organ work had Italian roots. I can only learn from posters like you.
And, wow, I see I'm not the only one here to have "international" origins!

[Thomas Dressler]

If you ask any American about his/her ethnic roots, you'll find that just about all of us have pretty diverse origins. The only TRUE Americans are the native people, the rest of us came from somewhere else originally! And after a few generations, we tend to have pretty mixed genes. I'm mostly German and much of my temperament is almost stereotypical German, but not all. I'm not sure whether the French, Irish, Scottish, or Dutch are messy, but I sure did not get the German "neatness" genes! (except when it comes to music, where I do like German organization.)

If you're not all Italian, what other countries are mixed in, if you don't mind me asking?

[Violinschlüssel]

Well, my mother is half of Russian and half of Arab origin. But, alas, nowadays, when I say that I'm part of Arab origin, people look at me as if I were a close relative of Osama Bin Laden. It's rather offensive.
Anyway, I love anything German: its culture, its literature, its language (actually, my third language is German, which I learnt at university). And, naturally, its music. Maybe that could somehow be a kind of explanation about why I love Bach so much. In my very humble opinion (I'm not a musician), no other classical composer can compare to him.

[Thomas Dressler]

Sorry to hear that you meet up with prejudice about being part Arab. I thought that particular prejudice was mostly here in the US because of 9/11. The truth is that yes, there is some of that here, but I'd say that most of the people I know, at least, feel they have nothing against Arabs . . . oh gosh, this could open a whole other discussion that should take place on a different forum!

Anyhow, I appreciate you sharing your musical interests. I believe my original posting on the genetic thing was too simplistic, as you don't have German in your background, yet you love Bach. I do have some French, but it's very little, yet I love French Classical music, and I speak French better than German. Interesting, perhaps there's another, more basic kind of genetic predisposition, or there may be nothing to this idea. I don't know, but I find it interesting.

(I think a lot of musicians would agree with your opinion on Bach.)

[methodistgirl]

I don't understand, how dares anybody rank J.S.Bach's organ work? Just think about it: you are talking about one of the universal music's emperors, but I'm convinced, he is still the greatest! I think that many people would need a little bit much more humility at this point.

Who's daring? I'm not! I like Bach's music. I play it everytime I sit
at my church's organ. Anything from Jesu Joy of Man's desire to a
cantata I will play what I know. "O Sacred Head How Wounded..."
"How gentle is the rain that falls softly on the meadow. Birds high up
in the trees serenates the flowers with their melody." I like Bach and
songs from his music. However, I also like other classic composers
just as well. Don't be so harsh!
judy tooley

[Argoth]

I would say the Dorian toccata and the entire Klavierubung III

[Corno Dolce]

Passacaglia and Fugue in C-minor - Nothing else comes close imho.

[RPdigital]

I don't understand, how dares anybody rank J.S.Bach's organ work? Just think about it: you are talking about one of the universal music's emperors, but I'm convinced, he is still the greatest! I think that many people would need a little bit much more humility at this point.

Yeah, and how dares anybody rank music? When there are so many music styles, I'm still convinced, baroque music is the greatest!

[Corno Dolce]

Mention was made of JSBach as *music emperor* - Nah, he is the Czar of universal music, ergo, music that touches the hearts of those whose hearts are open.

[Udyret]

There will never be anyone greater than Bach. It's almost unfair to mention a few favourites, but now I have to the trio-sonatas and the passacaglia et fuga in c-minor stand out.
A less known il'l strongly recommend is the fantasia et fuga in c-minor BWV 537. Aside from the 8 small preludes and fuges this the first bigger piece i learned, and I still love it. The fantasia is heartbreaking in it's beauty. I can only say; Play it

[Corno Dolce]

Hello Peter,

I just finished playing JSBach's Fantasia and Fugue in G-minor BWV 542 and feel it to be right up there with the great Passacaglia and Fugue in C-minor. Both those works have so much drama, introspection, and existential meaning.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

[methodistgirl]

I believe Bach has a piece that just fits everybody. The most simple to
me would be Jesu joy of Man's desiring and the giant should be Taccata
and fugue for being for someone like me who has a hard time reading
music to be difficult. Taccata & fugue is the monster but gentle giant.
It can be broke down and learned if you take the time to learn it. I am
progressing on schedule but I can get in a hurry to learn it and get
flustered!
judytooley

[JONESEY]

Well, I'm only just learning some of the Preludes and Fugues from the same book as an earlier poster and am finding them fantastic and challenging pieces to play.

It takes a while to get them right, but when you do, and hit on the right combination of sounds to use ... wow!

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Jonesey,

Keep on plugging away with the Preludes & Fugues - they are excellent learning materials.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce