Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

The Gramophone guide to the best Bach recordings

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Introduction

Bach has been called 'the supreme arbiter and law-giver of music'. He is to music what Leonardo da Vinci is to art and Shakespeare is to literature, one of the supreme creative geniuses of history. Amazingly, he was essentially a self-taught, provincial musician who achieved only limited fame during his lifetime. Read the full biography.

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Bach – 10 Essential Recordings

New to Bach? Here's a list of the top 10 recordings to help start your collection...

1. Brandenburg Concertos – Concerto Italiano / Alessandrini
2. Cello Suites – Pierre Fournier (vc)
3. Mass in B minor – Collegium Vocale, Ghent / Herreweghe
4. St Matthew Passion – Arnold Schoenberg Choir; Concentus Musicus Wien / Harnoncourt
5. Well-Tempered Clavier – Edwin Fischer (pf)
6. Magnificat – Ricercar Consort / Pierlot
7. Goldberg Variations – Glenn Gould (pf)
8. Orchestral Suites – Freiburg Baroque Orchestra / von der Goltz
9. Solo Violin Sonatas and Partitas – Rachel Podger (vn)
10. Cantatas – Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists / Gardiner

Building your Collection

Select a musical category below to explore the finest Bach recordings available.

Orchestral Chamber Instrumental Vocal

Brandenburg Concs Trio Sonatas Cello Suites Cantatas

Keyboard Concs Flute Sonatas English Suites Christmas Oratorio

Orchestral Suites Violin Sonatas French Suites Magnificat

Violin Concertos Goldberg Variations Mass in B minor

Keyboard Partitas Motets

Organ Works St John Passion

Solo Violin Sonatas St Matthew Passion

Well-Tempered Clavier

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