Why is Bach music so popular?

Answer 1

It is soothing and speaks to the soul...even though most of it is in German. Go to napster search track and type in Jesu joy of mans desiring.

If you don't mind me asking, have you ever listened to bach before?

---

As an avid fan of baroque-era music and Bach in particular, I find that he simply knew how to take a simple tune and draw every last drop of juice from in there (examples are Cantata BWV 140, the Art of Fugue and many others). Bach, having been a master scholar with access to hundreds of composers before and during his lifetime, as well as a player of essentially all instruments of his time - was able to create many different variations and interpretations of existing hymns. He transcribed existing music (BWV 593), wrote in traditional forms (BWV 1066-1069), wrote in 'wilder' forms (Toccata from BWV 564), wrote in all the musical keys (BWV 846-893), and even in ancient Greek modes (BWV 538). He wrote simple and touching things (BWV 999) as well as fancy music for huge choirs and orchestra (BWV 244).

But of all the things that can be said (such as his mastery of single instruments like the cello in BWV 1007-1012) - I think that what touches me most is his mastery of the fugue form, where Bach takes a plain melody, and plays another one, two, three or even four melodies on top of it - creating a musical sensation which I think is unique and is the most appealing to me.

Hope this helps.

--------------

Short answer: because it communicates to a lot of people.

Answer 2

It is because he has written approximately 1127 compositions. He had a heart for music as well as being a musician.