At Last Bach Really Hits the Spot

Bach is one of those composers that you can listen to over and over and wonder why everyone thinks he's so great. But then it clicks and if you can connect, it's usually gives you an experience that no other composer can give you.

Good for you - I hope you find more that will keep you engaged in music.

Also try "The Goldberg Variations".. Glenn Gould seems to be the one I come back to most often. Welcome to the 'Family', Cwlondon :)

Agree with Lousyreeds - While I wouldn't say it's great for listening while driving, Glenn Gould's Goldberg Variations (his 1955 debut recording, NOT the 1981 version which I'd avoid) is one of the astonishing Bach performances of all time.

Three more:

The Well Tempered Claveir,Books One and Two. Ralph Kirkpatrich,DG
((Each book includes a prelude and fugue in each of the 24 major and minor keys.))

Musical Offering.((Late in his life,Bach wrote these for Frederick the Great,as an introduction to get his son CPE Bach a job))

***The Brandenburg Concerti. ((Written as an audition of the Margrave of Brandenburg)

Now don't make fun of me - but I like some of the Canadian Brass' stuff and I'd definitely recommend their perfs of both Art of the Fugue and the Goldberg Variations. You wouldn't want them as your primary versions but they are quite refreshing and interesting to hear done in brass after hearing them the "normal" way a zillion times.

You can listen to track samples at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00003OP6H/qid=1132344074/br=1-2/ref=br_lf_m_2//002-8619240-9594456?v=glance&s=classical&n=42313

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000026NK/qid=1132344074/br=1-8/ref=br_lf_m_8//002-8619240-9594456?v=glance&s=classical&n=42313