Top 5 : Bach's Air on the g string;Who does it better?

A little countdown on the oh-so-popular piece from bach in youtube, the orchestral suite 3 in d major air. It was dubbed "Air on the G-String" when violinist August Wilhelmj transposed it down 1 note and play it only on the lowest string, the G-string and that names is now stuck. Despite most of the performances not played on the g-string., it's still called so.

Now that that's over, shall we?

5. Bach - Air on a G String 

A more modern-sounding intepretation of the piece. It comes 2nd on the youtube search result of "air on the g string". I'm sure some people prefer this version better, but I personally like baroque styles better.

4. Dublin String Quartet: Air on a G String

I love string quartets. These women did a very good job of interpreting the piece. The acoustics of the video is great too; it sounds as if we are on the same room as the musicians. This is the only string quartet entry in this countdown, and righfully deserves to be on the list for the best interpretation of air on the g string.

3. Bach Under The Stars: Air on the G String BWV 1068 

A very good intepretation of the piece. I considered putting this on the top of the list until I find something really spectacular. But it still doesn't change the fact that this intepretation in particular is still very good. If it wasn't for one important feature on no.2, I would've put it higher on the list. It shows many pictures of stars anf whatnot which is very eye-catching.

2. Air on the G String (Suite No. 3, BWV 1068) J. S. Bach, original instruments

This particular video sounds similar to the one above. Perhaps because the uploader is the same person. Even though I slightly prefer the one before, In this video we can see the performers. Even though I think pictures of stars are beyond beautiful, I learn a lot from watching them play and these people deserve to be higher in the countdown.

 

 1. BBC Proms 2010 - Bach Day 8 - Air On The G String

A very-very masterful intepretation of the piece. This performance require LOTS of talented first-violinist that can reach those high positions on the lowest string. It has incredible grace with those deep voices coming out from the g-string. The best performance of the masterpiece I have ever heard.
I'm still shocked how they could gather so many great violinist to do this.

Air on the g string is a very beautiful piece, especially if done correctly. Whichever versions you prefer, Bach is the genius behind it. Let us raise our hats for the briliant german baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach