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For compositions that may be a bit more challenging to grasp but become incredibly impressive upon repeated listening, I want to highlight the Sonatas/Partitas for Solo Violin and the Sonatas for Solo Cello, which have accompanied me from before my birth until today.
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The 6 Sonatas or Partitas (3 each) for Violin, BWV 1001-1006, composed between 1714-1720, rank among the most famous works in musical history. Despite their technically demanding nature, they are a standard repertoire for any accomplished violinist and have been recorded frequently, with many performances available on YouTube. I’ve chosen a well-known recording by Szeryng: J.S. Bach Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin [H. Szeryng] (1967), with a total duration of 2:07:10, uploaded on 10.02.2017, currently (06.02.2024) with 383,562 views. This recording originates from a Deutsche Grammophon box set initially released on 2 LPs in 1968 and remastered onto 2 CDs in 1986. The timestamps for each work are: 1. Solo Violin Sonata #1; 2. Solo Violin Partita #1; 3. Solo Violin Sonata #2; 4. Solo Violin Partita #2; 5. Solo Violin Sonata #3; 6. Solo Violin Partita #3.
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Another highly esteemed recording is by Menuhin, available on YouTube: J.S. Bach: Six Violin Sonatas & Partitas for Violin Solo - BWV 1001-1006 - Yehudi Menuhin, with a total duration of 2:23:40, uploaded on 31.01.2023, currently (06.02.2024) with 145 views, likely replacing the previous link from 2013, which had 1,644,882 views and seems defunct now. This recording, presumably derived from a 3-LP album by EMI from 1976 with recordings made between 1973-1975, maintains the same timestamps from the earlier link.
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The 6 Suites for Solo Cello, BWV 1007-1012, composed around 1720, are similarly standard repertoire pieces for cellists. Among the numerous recordings available on YouTube, I’ve chosen a classic one: J S Bach The six cello suites Pablo Casals, 1936-39, with a total duration of 2:10:11, uploaded in 2016, currently (06.02.2024) with a similar number of views: 1,666,305.
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In addition to the sometimes confusing tracklist directly below the title, there’s a collapsible list in the comments section with conventional movement names and timestamps for each suite.
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As a possible way to experience these works, playing one of the 12 pieces at low volume as a means to drift off to sleep seems fitting.