Choosing the seven best works by Johann Sebastian Bach, perhaps classical music's greatest composer, is challenging, given his vast and influential output. However, here are seven of the 'king of counterpoint's most outstanding and celebrated works:
Best of Bach
Mass in B Minor, BWV 232
A monumental choral masterpiece, the B Minor Mass is a vivid and moving showcase of Bach’s profound spirituality and compositional genius.
When the playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw was hired as a music critic for The Star in 1888, the newspaper’s editor recommended that he ‘say what you like, but for God’s sake don’t tell us anything about Bach in B minor’. In other words, Bach’s Mass in B Minor is a work so monumental that it transcends analysis, leaving even the most astute listeners in awe.
Above analysis or not, the Mass in B Minor has inspired generations of composers and musicians. Haydn sought out a copy, Beethoven studied it while putting together his Missa Solemnis, and Liszt was among the audience at its first complete public performance in Leipzig in 1859 - over a century after Bach’s death. Its legacy is one of mathematical precision, expressive depth, and unmatched grandeur.
The Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846–893
Composed in 1722 and 1742, these two sets of 24 preludes and fugues explore all the major and minor keys, showcasing Bach’s mastery of counterpoint and harmonic development. The work was intended both as an instructional tool for keyboard players and as a demonstration of the benefits of well-tempered tuning, which allowed for playing in all keys without retuning.
Each prelude and fugue pair presents unique technical and expressive challenges, making The Well-Tempered Clavier one of the most influential works in Western classical music. It has inspired countless composers, including Beethoven (many of his piano sonatas), Chopin (the Preludes, Op. 28), and Shostakovich (24 Preludes and Fugues), and remains a cornerstone of piano repertoire today.
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Brandenburg Concertos, BWV 1046–1051
Packed with brilliance, energy, and innovative instrumental writing, Bach's six Brandenburg Concertos were presented to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt, in 1721. With their dazzling counterpoint, orchestration, and instrumental virtuosity, the Brandenburgs are widely regarded as some of the finest examples of Baroque orchestral music.
Each concerto features a unique combination of instruments, highlighting different timbres and textures, from the lively dialogue of violins and harpsichord in Concerto No. 5 to the bold, horn-driven energy of Concerto No. 1. Here is number 3, the opening melody of which we think you'll recognise:
Despite their name, there is no evidence that the Brandenburg Concertos were ever performed at the Brandenburg court. Instead, they stand as a testament to Bach’s ingenuity, blending intricate musical structures with expressive beauty. Today, the Brandenburg Concertos remain among the most beloved and frequently performed works in the classical repertoire.
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Bach's Goldberg Variations are among his most famous keyboard works. Indeed, we'd go further and say they are one of the most famous keyboard or piano works of all time. Composed around 1741, the Goldbergs consist of an opening aria followed by no fewer than 30 variations, showcasing Bach’s mastery of counterpoint, harmony, and thematic transformation.
The Goldbergs were always a favourite of the mercurial Canadian pianist Glenn Gould, one of the greatest pianists of all time. Have a listen below.
Why are they known as the Goldberg Variations? Legend has it that the work was commissioned by Count Hermann Karl von Keyserling, the Russian ambassador to Saxony, to be performed by his harpsichordist, Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, as a form of musical solace during sleepless nights. While this story is likely apocryphal, the name 'Goldberg Variations' has endured.
The variations explore a wide range of emotions and styles, from virtuosic displays of keyboard technique to deeply introspective movements. The work concludes with a return to the serene opening aria, creating a perfect cyclical structure. Today, the Goldberg Variations remain a cornerstone of the keyboard repertoire, interpreted by pianists and harpsichordists alike, with performances ranging from historically informed renditions to innovative modern interpretations.
St Matthew Passion, BWV 244
Bach's emotionally powerful and dramatic setting of the Passion story is often regarded as one of the greatest sacred works ever composed.
This monumental oratorio masterfully tells the story of Christ’s crucifixion. Composed in 1727 for Good Friday services at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, the piece is scored for double choir, double orchestra, and soloists, creating a rich and dramatic musical landscape.
With a libretto by Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), the St. Matthew Passion sets the Gospel of Matthew’s account of the Passion to music, interwoven with chorales and arias that reflect on the events. Bach’s use of recitative, expressive arias, and grand choral movements enhances the emotional depth of the work, making it both a profound religious experience and a masterpiece of Baroque composition.
Although largely forgotten after Bach’s death, the Passion was revived in 1829 by Felix Mendelssohn, sparking renewed appreciation for Bach’s choral works. Today, it is widely regarded as one of the most significant pieces in Western classical music, performed annually around the world during the Easter season.
Cello Suites, BWV 1007–1012
Bach's six suites for solo cello have become an absolute cornerstone of the instrument's repertoire.
Composed between 1717 and 1723 during Bach’s time living and working in the small east German town of Köthen, these suites showcase his genius in writing for an instrument that was traditionally seen as an accompaniment rather than a solo voice.
Each suite consists of a prelude followed by a series of dance movements, including allemandes, courantes, sarabandes, minuets, bourrées, and gigues. The Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G major is particularly famous, instantly recognizable for its flowing arpeggios and warm, resonant character. Here is a beautiful performance from the matchless Yo-Yo Ma:
The suites were largely forgotten until the 19th century, when the cellist Pablo Casals (one of the greatest cellists of all time) rediscovered them in a secondhand music shop and brought them into the concert repertoire. Today, they are considered essential works for cellists and a profound testament to Bach’s ability to create deeply expressive music from the simplest of means.
More best of Bach
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565
Famed for its powerful opening motif, rapid runs, and grand, almost theatrical character, Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor has become synonymous with mystery, suspense, and even the supernatural.
Although originally attributed to Bach, some scholars have debated its authorship due to stylistic anomalies. Regardless, its influence is undeniable, appearing in films, television, and popular culture—perhaps most famously in Disney’s Fantasia (1940).
The Toccata section showcases virtuosic flourishes and bold harmonies, while the Fugue develops a haunting theme through intricate counterpoint. Whether performed on a grand pipe organ or transcribed for other instruments, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor remains a thrilling and unforgettable masterpiece.
Orchestral Suites, BWV 1066–1069
Elegant, lively and dancing, Bach's four Orchestral Suites showcase his mastery of Baroque orchestration. Likely composed during Bach's time in Leipzig, these suites reflect the French dance suite tradition, featuring movements such as the Ouverture, Bourrée, Gavotte, Minuet, and Badinerie.
Each suite has its own distinct character: No. 1 is both festive and stately, with rich writing for the woodwinds; No. 2 features a dazzling flute solo in its famous Badinerie. Suite No. 3 includes the well-known Air on the G String, while the last of the four is perhaps the grandest in scale, with brilliant parts for both trumpet and timpani.
Violin Concertos
Bach’s Violin Concertos are among the finest examples of Baroque violin writing, showcasing his deep understanding of the instrument’s expressive and virtuosic potential. The best known of these works are two solo concertos and one 'double', written for two violins.
Of the solo concertos, the Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 is a beautifully flowing work with a lyrical second movement and a lively finale. Its E major counterpart, meanwhile, is brighter and more jubilant, featuring a radiant opening theme and a heartfelt Adagio. The Double Violin Concerto in D minor, meanwhile, is famous for its interweaving melodies, particularly in the stunning slow movement.
Here is the great violinist David Oistrakh (perhaps the greatest violinist of all time?) performing it with his brother Igor. Pretty sublime stuff.
Some scholars believe that other lost violin concertos may have existed, with reconstructions based on harpsichord versions (such as BWV 1052 and 1056). Nonetheless, these surviving concertos remain essential repertoire for violinists and continue to captivate audiences with their elegance, technical brilliance, and emotional depth.
Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004
Bach's second (of six) Partita for solo violin Includes the iconic Chaconne, one of the greatest solo violin pieces ever written. The Chaconne is the last, and most famous, of the work's five movements: a monumental set of variations over a repeating bass pattern. Filled with drama, sorrow, and transcendence, the Chaconne is considered one of the greatest works ever written for solo violin.
Here is the matchless Hilary Hahn:
It's been transcribed for numerous instruments, including piano (by Brahms and Busoni) and guitar, further cementing its legendary status.
Magnificat in D major, BWV 243
One of Bach's most brilliant and festive choral works, the Magnificat was composed in 1723 for Bach’s first Christmas in Leipzig, It's a setting of the the Biblical hymn of praise of the same name, sung by the Virgin Mary in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:46–55).
Bach divided the work into 12 short but highly expressive movements, featuring a rich orchestration that includes trumpets, timpani, oboes, flutes, strings, and continuo. Each movement varies in character, from jubilant choruses to intimate arias and duets. Some highlights include the triumphant and powerful opening chorus 'Magnificat anima mea'; 'Et misericordia', a deeply expressive duet with soaring melodic lines; and the work's majestic conclusion, 'Gloria Patri'.
With its combination of grandeur, expressive depth, and masterful counterpoint, Magnificat remains a cornerstone of the choral repertoire, frequently performed at Christmas, Marian feasts, and major sacred celebrations.
