Bach's Greatest Works Part 2e Solo/Chamber

[DavidW]

It seems as if the cello suites are the most popular around here.  Are they great works?  Actually all of Bach's chamber and solo works get heavy play on the radio, widely recorded etc much more than chamber/solo works of other baroque era composers.  Why do you think that is?  Are they honestly greater?  What qualities do you find exceptional in these works?  Oh here is the list that we decided on:

• BWV 1001, Sonata for Solo Violin No. 1 in G minor
• BWV 1003, Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2 in A minor
• BWV 1004, Partita for Solo Violin No. 2 in D minor
• BWV 1005, Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3 in C major
• BWV 1006, Partita for Solo Violin No. 3 in E major
• BWV 1009, Suite for Solo Cello No. 3 in C major
• BWV 1010, Suite for Solo Cello No. 4 in E flat
• BWV 1011, Suite for Solo Cello No. 5 in C minor
• BWV 1014, Sonata for Violin and Keyboard No. 1 in B minor
• BWV 1079, Das Musikalisches Opfer

Sheesh no lute suites!?  What's a matter with you people!?

[Opus106]

I'm one of the few who doesn't like, for some reason, the cello suites as much as most people. They (the suites) are nice, but it is very rare that the occasion arises where I'm in a mood to listen to any of them. I think I'd prefer the solo violin works more.

[Franco]

I'm one of the few who doesn't like, for some reason, the cello suites as much as most people. They (the suites) are nice, but it is very rare that the occasion arises where I'm in a mood to listen to any of them. I think I'd prefer the solo violin works more.

I just discovered the same thing. 

[DavidW]

Actually looking at the list, I clearly screwed up.  The violin works are more popular here.  Oops!

[Opus106]

Actually looking at the list, I clearly screwed up.  The violin works are more popular here.  Oops!

But my poll shows otherwise. Early in the poll, it almost looked like I would be the only person to vote for the violin works.

[DavidW]

But my poll shows otherwise. Early in the poll, it almost looked like I would be the only person to vote for the violin works.

It's considerably easier to vote on an anonymous poll, so I might tentatively conclude that overall the gmg community might slightly prefer the cello works (I must have been thinking of your poll when I wrote the cello works were preferred) but out of the Bach-o-philes in gmg, the violin works are preferred.

[Opus106]

out of the Bach-o-philes in gmg, the violin works are preferred.

That's reassuring.