[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlT8yeEYbMs]
WRITER: J.S. Bach
YEAR WRITTEN: c. 1725
HOW YOU PROBABLY KNOW THIS TUNE: From movies and TV, often as a cue to suggest class, elegance, and culture.
‘AIR’ SUPERIORITY: An ethereal opening note, four beats long but floating on forever. A stately “walking” bass that firmly pushes the music forward. And a melody line almost embarrassingly languorous and lovely and filled with longing. Yup, this Bach fella had some talent. “Air” — the second movement of his orchestral suite in D Major (and perhaps the greatest example of this form) — is among the most beloved of his compositions. And, in 1902, it was the first piece of Bach’s music to be recorded, following the incredible popularity of “Air on the G String” (we’ll wait for you fellas in the back to stop snickering), for which August Wilhelmj transposed the original key and melody to be played on a single string of a violin.
MEMORABLY USED IN … The library scene from Se7en.
LIST: The All-TIME 100 Songs