Air on the G String (Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068)

A Moment of Bach

One of Bach's most famous works, and one of the greatest melodies of all time -- this comes to us by way of an almost impossibly good performance/recording by the Netherlands Bach Society. By having the first violin part played by a section rather than a solo, they give Bach's wandering melody more purpose than it has in the famous version for solo violin, "Air on the G String", which is actually a re-arrangement of this original version -- and one which, we assert, does not stack up to the original version's greatness. That greatness comes not only from getting the first violin part back in its proper higher register and key, but also from the interplay of the inner lines in the second violin and viola parts, as well as the famous walking bass line of the continuo part.

Ultimately, though, it is that upper melody which enchants us most. Is there any wonder that it has enchanted generations since Bach -- it seems to reach toward some meaning, something just out of grasp -- and will enchant generations to come? Yes, the melody wanders... but not all who wander are lost.

See "Air" from Orchestral Suite No. 3 performed by the Netherlands Bach Society, conducted by Lars Ulrik Mortensen.

PATREON for A Moment of Bach - always optional, always appreciated.

Huge thanks as always to the Netherlands Bach Society for allowing us to use their audio examples on our podcast.

Thanks also to Syndey LaCom for our podcast artwork.