The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080

Johann Sebastian Bach

BWV 1080

Grigory Sokolov /

1982

Gil's first recommendation for a keyboard version. It has 'a lot of personality' and is 'assertive, very probing and thoughtful,' doing a 'great job of keeping it interesting.'

Angela Hewitt /

2013

A less flashy alternative to Sokolov. Praised for its 'beautiful delicacy, beautiful tone, wonderfully fluid, very natural sounding.' This version places the final unfinished fugue at the end.

Helmut Walcha /

Included in his complete stereo organ set

An organ version included in his complete box set. It has Walcha's 'logical, moving forward, kind of relentlessly' qualities that fit the piece well. The organ adds 'more variety' and 'majesty.'

Karl Münchinger / Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra

Gil mentions this orchestral transcription from his orchestral video, calling it a 'beautifully, kind of a romantic interpretation' that has 'a lot of warmth to it.'