While we are on JS Bach, I love the Brandenburg Concertos. Being a math/science guy the physics of the air vibrations that create sound coupled with the math of frequencies, harmonics, and beat frequencies all intrigue me. Put on top of that the variety of instruments capable of producing the vibrations and it really just comes together.
I don't think there were many better than Bach at putting everything together. The Brandenburg concertos were presented to Christian Ludwig, Margrave (medieval military commander's title for leaders of border provinces of the Holy Roman Empire) of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1721. Bach was essentially giving a gift based on the Margrave's love of music, Bach's in particular.
There are six concertos in this group, which were given to the Margrave as a single group. My particular favorite is Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major (BWV 1047 - the six comprise BWV 1046 - 1051). Concertos are usually in three parts. The word is an apparent combination of two latin words for "join" and "compete". This is usually the case as in the concerto the first movement places almost all of the instruments into a complex presentation, the second usually highlights a few instruments, and the third brings all together again. For concerto number 2, the key instruments are the recorder, trumpet, oboe and violin supported by a group of strings and the harpsichord. By the way, the third movement was inscribed onto the Gold Record that is attached to the deep space Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1970's and now out of the solar system.
For your enjoyment, using much of the instruments of the period ...
Brandenburg Concerto Number 2 - Freiburger Barokorchester
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