In every issue of Gramophone Editor Martin Cullingford selects 10 of the new releases reviewed as 'Editor's Choice', with one 'Recording of the Month'. Here are all of the recordings of JS Bach's music to be chosen for these accolades in 2022.

We have included links to the original albums reviews in Gramophone's Reviews Database, which subscribers can have full access to. To find out more about subscribing, please visit magsubscriptions.com

JS Bach Six Solo Violin (Cello) Suites

Giuliano Carmignola vn

Arcana

Such is their beauty, the Bach cello suites have often been borrowed by others to sublime effect; this wonderful set by violinist Giuliano Carmignola reveals all their spirituality.

Read the review in our Reviews Database

JS Bach ‘Harpsichord Concertos, Vol 3’

Il Pomo d’Oro / Francesco Corti hpd

Pentatone

A fascinating series continues with Francesco Corti joined by colleagues – including on a second harpsichord – for Volume 3. Scintillating playing, and excellently recorded.

Read the Gramophone review

‘A Cembalo certato a Violino solo’

Johannes Pramsohler vn Philippe Grisvard hpd (Audax)

This intelligently programmed set places Bach’s six sonatas for violin and harpsichord in the context of his time with first recordings of many works from the era.

Read the full review

JS Bach ‘The Complete Works for Keyboard, Vol 6’

Benjamin Alard clav/hpd

Harmonia Mundi

Book one of The Well-Tempered Clavier is brought to us by Benjamin Alard on a remarkable sounding (and looking) harpsichord. A superb performance.

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JS Bach Goldberg Variations

Klára Würtz pf

Piano Classics

Klára Würtz’s Goldbergs explores Bach’s extraordinary and revered set of variations with selfless commitment and personality, bringing delicacy, drama and architectural splendour to this great music.

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JS Bach St Matthew Passion

Sols; Pygmalion / Raphaël Pichon

Harmonia Mundi

This recording of Bach’s St Matthew Passion has extraordinary impact – rich in remarkable singing which conveys an intense humanity, and a superb sense of pace and drama, all beautifully recorded.

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Vivaldi L’estro armonico JS Bach Concertos after L’estro armonico

Concerto Italiano / Rinaldo Alessandrini

Naïve

‘I can’t remember when I last enjoyed a Vivaldi album as much as this,’ writes Charlotte Gardner: discover it for yourself!

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‘B-A-C-H’

Simon Johnson org

Chandos

An extraordinary instrument – that of St Paul’s Cathedral, London – in repertoire perfectly chosen to show off its sonic splendour, all performed by an artist of formidable skill and musicality. 

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JS Bach St John Passion

Sols; Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner

DG

‘An immersive Passion which takes no prisoners’, says Jonathan Freeman‑Attwood of this performance, from one of the foremast Bach conductors of our age.

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And don't miss...

‘Bach and Expression’ 

Daniel Moult, Martin Schmeding orgs 

Fugue State Films 

Another triumph from Fugue State Films, in this case a highly engaging documentary presented by Daniel Moult which invites us to think afresh about Bach’s organ music.   

Read the Gramophone review