Early music ensemble Voices of Music performs the second movement, Aria, from Bach’s orchestral suite in D Major, BWV 1068, popularly known as the “Air on the G-String” with original instruments from the time of Bach.

Air on the G String is German violinist and teacher August Wilhelmj‘s (21 September 1845 in Usingen – 22 January 1908 in London) arrangement of the second movement in Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068.

The second movement, Aria, from Bach’s orchestral suite in D Major, BWV 1068, popularly known as the “Air on the G-String”, performed on original instruments from the time of Bach by the Early Music ensemble Voices of Music.

Air on the G-String by Bach

The original orchestral suite was written by Bach for his patron Prince Leopold of Anhalt sometime between the years 1717 and 1723.

The title comes from violinist August Wilhelmj’s late 19th-century arrangement of the piece for violin and piano. By transposing the key of the piece from its original D major to C major and transposing the melody down an octave, Wilhelm was able to play the piece on only one string of his violin, the G string.

Later, a spurious story was put about that the melody was always intended to be played on the G string alone.

The Air on the G String was the first work by Bach ever to be recorded. This was by the Russian cellist Aleksandr Verzhbilovich and an unknown pianist, in 1902 (as the Air from the Overture No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068).

Voices of Music

One of the most popular early music ensembles in the United States, San Francisco-based Voices of Music performs both renaissance and baroque music, drawing upon the many and varied sources for historical performance practice. Performances are primarily one on a part, with an emphasis on combining both instrumental and vocal styles of interpretation and ornamentation.

Voices of Music is a pioneer in digital technology for the arts, and more than 8,000 people watch concerts and programming from our ensemble each day–more than three million viewers a year. In addition to our acclaimed Concert Series in the San Francisco Bay Area, Voices of Music sponsors the Young Artist Program and the East Bay Junior Recorder Society.

Voices of Music is Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Directors:

  • Hanneke van Proosdij
  • David Tayler

The musicians and their instruments

  • Carla Moore, baroque violin by Johann Georg Thir, Vienna, Austria, 1754
  • Maxine Nemerovski, baroque violin by Timothy Johnson, Indiana, 1999 (after Stradivarius)
  • Elizabeth Blumenstock, baroque violin by Andrea Guarneri, Cremona, 1660
  • Kati Kyme, baroque violin by Johann Gottlob Pfretzichner, Mittenwald, 1791
  • Lisa Grodin, baroque viola by Mathias Eberl, Salzburg, Austria, 1680
  • William Skeen, five-string baroque cello, Anonymous, Italy, c1680
  • Farley Pearce, violone by George Steppani, Manchester, 1985, after Amati, 1560
  • David Tayler, archlute by Andreas von Holst, Munich, 2012 after Magno Tieffenbrucker, Venice, c1610
  • Hanneke van Proosdij, baroque organ by Winold van der Putten, Finsterwolde, Netherlands, 2004, after early 18th-century Northern German instruments
Voices of Music while performing Air on the G-String by Bach
Voices of Music while performing Johann Sebastian Bach’s Air on the G-String

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

Join the Conversation

4 Comments

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.