Bach Recommendations

If you don’t have Glenn Gould’s Goldbergs they are highly recommended 

Bach is a world unto himself.  I agree with all the recommendations made so far.  Martha Augerich too for the Goldbergs, but there are others.  My best, first recommendation would be to buy the whole thing, meaning every J.S. Bach piece that has survived into the modern era.  For that turn to Helmut Rilling's Complete set.  147 cds if memory serves.  They can be stolen almost at today's knock down prices.  For something completely different, try Wendy (nee Walter) Carlos' Switched On Bach.  Whatever you acquire try to get at least a sampling of each of his major genres:  Keyboard (i.e. organ, harpsichord, piano - he did not like this instrument, it was not the sophisticated thing it was to become in his lifetime), orchestral (The Brandenburgs etc.), cantatas (his forte), motets.  

I will eat my hat if you dont like the "Orchestral suites"  by Jordi Savall ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIh4RVXysTE&list=PLiAQKF0cbrWDoT-2dasPZxVSjvyeDJmwR

For Bach Organ:

The greatest for me is Marie Claire Alain...Pick one of his many integrals of Bach organ...i recommend this one :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeJrv5SNZmo&list=PLxXjllvtBC_rRInshy8w7jGiypzlCU_7X&index=19

For Bach  Harpsichord:

A woman whose life could beat any novel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0npjHOVgJ8g&list=PLG8FqPi7zOyiggn8cJ-9BJ99fNBbSQbhI

Now you must read Ruzickova autobiography :

https://www.amazon.ca/One-Hundred-Miracles-Auschwitz-Survival/dp/1408896842

A masterpiece deeply moving explaining by events in his life why this harpsichordist, who make too much shadow on the greatest modern harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt who criticize his playing on modern harpsichord, is in my opinion the greatest one....

Don’t overlook his choral masterpieces—B minor mass, cantatas, St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, etc.  If I had to pick one Bach work, it would be the B Minor mass.  There are many great performances, like the 1962 Karl Richter recording, and one should own many different ones.