Air on the G String

{{Short description|1871 Bach arrangement by August Wilhelmj}}

{{distinguish|"Air" from Johann Sebastian Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3}}

{{pp-move}}

"Air on the G String", also known as "Air for G String" and "Celebrated Air", is August Wilhelmj's 1871 arrangement of the second movement of Johann Sebastian Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068.{{sfn|French|2014|loc=II, p. 71}}{{sfn|Höweler|1939|pp=47–48}}{{IMSLP|work=List of works by August Wilhelmj|cname=Works by August Wilhelmj|descr=list}}{{cite web

|url=https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/200014137/B-13892-Air_for_G_string

|title=Victor matrix B-13892. Air for G string / Jan Kubelík

|website=Discography of American Historical Recordings

|access-date=2020-10-03}} Contains several audio versions of this recording.{{cite web

|url=https://charm.cch.kcl.ac.uk/discography/search/search_advanced?operatorSel_0=and¶meterSel_0=composer¶meterKey_0=compo_001510¶meterKeyTxt_0=BACH,%20J.S.%20(arr.Wilhelmj)

|title=Search Results for BACH, J.S. (arr.Wilhelmj)

|website=CHARM

|access-date=2020-10-03}}

The arrangement differs from the original in that the part of the first violins is transposed down so that the entire piece can be played on just the violin's lowest string (the G string, hence the name). In performance, that part is generally played by a single violin (instead of by the first violins as a group).

Bach's original

{{listen

| type = music

| header = "Air" from Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3

| filename = PDP-CH - Adolf Busch Chamber Players - Adolf Busch - Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 - Air - Bach - Hmv-db3019-2ea3895.flac

| title = Air

| description = performed by The Adolf Busch Chamber Players (1937)

}}

{{further|Orchestral Suite No. 3 (Bach)}}

Bach's third Orchestral Suite in D major, composed in the first half of the 18th century, has an "Air" as second movement, following its French overture opening movement. The suite is composed for three trumpets, timpani, two oboes, strings (two violin parts and a viola part), and basso continuo. In the second movement of the suite however only the strings and the continuo play. This is the only movement of the suite where all other instruments are silent.

The music of the "Air" is written on four staves, for first and second violins, viola(s), and continuo. The interweaving melody lines of the high strings contrast with the pronounced rhythmic drive in the bass.

Wilhelmj's arrangement

{{listen

| type = music

| header = "Air on the G String"

| filename = Air (Bach).ogg

| title = Violin and piano (1920)

| description = performed by Joel Belov (violin) and Robert Gayler (piano)

| description2 =

}}

In 1871, violinist August Wilhelmj arranged the second movement of Bach's third Orchestral Suite for violin and an accompaniment of strings, piano or organ (harmonium).{{sfn|French|2014|loc=II, p. 71}} On the score he wrote {{Lang|de|auf der G-Saite}} (on the G string) above the staff for the solo violin, which gave the arrangement its nickname.

In Wilhelmj's version the piece is transposed down from its original key (D major) to C major. Then the part of the first violins is transposed further down an octave and given to a solo violin that can play the entire melody on its lowest string, the G string. The dynamic markings added by Wilhelmj are more in line with a Romantic interpretation than with the Baroque original.

As the violin is unable to play with much volume in its lowest register, all the other parts of Bach's music were firmly reduced in Wilhelmj's version: the keyboard part is to be played staccato and pianissimo, causing the effects of interweaving melodies and of drive in the bass part to get lost. The accompanying violins and violas play muted (con sordino), and the bass part for cellos and double basses is to be played pizzicato and {{lang|it|sempre pianissimo}}, with the same change in effect compared to Bach's original.{{Cite web|title=About "Air on the G String by J. S. Bach & arranged by Wilhelmj|url=https://galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/about-air-on-the-g-string|access-date=2022-02-02|website=Galaxy Music Notes}}

Later, a spurious story circulated that the melody was always intended to be played on the G string alone.Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th edition, 1954, Vol. IX, p. 298, "Wilhelmj, August" The solo violin part of Wilhelmj's arrangement is sometimes played on the counter-tenor violoncello.

Wilhelmj's arrangement greatly popularized the piece and although his version is rarely played anymore, his original title on the G string or Air on the G string has been retained as the commonly used name of various arrangements whether or not a string instrument playing on its G string is involved. Most of these versions have in common that the original melody of the first violins is played in the low register of a solo instrument, accompanied by a reduction of the material of the other parts of Bach's piece, although occasionally versions that stay more in line with Bach's original can go by the same name.

Further arrangements of Wilhelmj's arrangement

This arranged piece was itself arranged countless times, in key or instrumentation, for orchestra, saxophone, accordion, synthetizer, recoder ensemble ... parallelling and overlapping other arrangements of the same original{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}.

Reception

In a period that stretched over three decades, and started in 1905, Henry Wood regularly programmed Wilhelmj's arrangement at the London Proms.{{sfn|French|2014|loc=I, pp. 49, 162}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e8b4wh Prom 61 - Last Night of the Proms 1907] at BBC website.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/epn9mb Prom 19: 20:00 Sat 4 Sep 1909 Queen's Hall] at BBC website. Wood recorded his orchestral rendering (i.e., the G string part performed by a group of violins) of the Bach/Wilhelmj "Air" in the early 1930s.[http://music.damians78s.co.uk/artists/conductors/t-z/w/henry-j-wood/ Henry J Wood] at music.damians78s.co.uk website.[https://sounds.bl.uk/Classical-music/Bach/026M-1CL0047154XX-0100V0 1CL0047154] at British Library Sounds website (contains audio file).

= Early recordings =

Recordings of Wilhelmj's "Air on the G String" arrangement, from the era preceding the Second World War, include:

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Early recordings of Air on the G String

scope="col" | Rec.

! scope="col" | Soloist

! scope="col" | Accompaniment or Ensemble (Conductor)

! scope="col" | Company Matrix (Take)

! scope="col" | Title

1902

| Hartmann, Leopold

|

| Gramophone 2155B

| Air auf der G-Saite{{sfn|Kelly|2009|loc=320}}

1903

| {{ill|Bernhard Dessau|de|lt=Dessau, Bernhard}}

|

| Gramophone 1528x

| Air auf der G-Saite{{sfn|Kelly|2009|loc=321}}

1904-02-01

| Kreisler, Fritz

|

| Gramophone 2087x

| {{cite web

|url=https://charm.rhul.ac.uk/discography/search/search_advanced?operatorSel_0=and¶meterSel_0=performer¶meterKey_0=artist_023747¶meterKeyTxt_0=Kreisler

|title=Search Results for Kreisler

|website=CHARM

|access-date=2020-10-03}}

1905-03-01

| Geyer, Stefi

| {{ill|Oszkár Dienzl|scores|Category:Dienzl, Oszkár|lt=Dienzl, Oszkár}} [piano]

|

| {{cite web

|url=https://charm.rhul.ac.uk/discography/search/search_advanced?operatorSel_0=and¶meterSel_0=performer¶meterKey_0=artist_041244¶meterKeyTxt_0=Stefi%20Geyer,%20violin,%20Oszk%C3%A1r%20Dienzl%20(p)

|title=Search Results for Stefi Geyer, violin, Oszkár Dienzl (p)

|website=CHARM

|access-date=2020-10-03}}

1909-05

| Rosé, Arnold

|

| Gramophone 14680u

| Air auf der G-Saite{{sfn|Kelly|2009|loc=323}}

1911-01-01

| Vecsey, Ferenc

|

|

|

1911-05-17

| Elman, Mischa

| Kahn, Percy B. [piano]

| Victor C-9871 (3)

| Air for G string{{cite web

|url=https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/200009981/C-9871-Air_for_G_string

|title=Victor matrix C-9871. Air for G string / Mischa Elman

|website=Discography of American Historical Recordings

|access-date=2020-10-03}}

Contains audio of one of Elman's recordings.

1913-10-01

| Kubelík, Jan

| Falkenstein, George [piano]

| Victor B-13892 (1)

| Air for G String

1913-11-09

|

| Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra (Godfrey, Dan)

| Gramophone

| {{cite web

|url=https://charm.rhul.ac.uk/discography/search/search_advanced?operatorSel_0=and¶meterSel_0=performer¶meterKey_0=artist_041244¶meterKeyTxt_0=Stefi%20Geyer,%20violin,%20Oszk%C3%A1r%20Dienzl%20(p)

|title=Search Results for DAN GODFREY'S (BOURNEMOUTH MUNICIPAL) ORCHESTRA

|website=CHARM

|access-date=2020-10-03}}

1918-07

| Belov, Joel

| Gayler, Robert [piano]

| Edison 6289 (A–C)

| Air for G string{{cite web

|url=https://charm.rhul.ac.uk/discography/search/search_advanced?operatorSel_0=and¶meterSel_0=performer¶meterKey_0=artist_008528¶meterKeyTxt_0=DAN%20GODFREY%E2%80%99S%20(BOURNEMOUTH%20MUNICIPAL)%20ORCHESTRA

|title=Edison matrix 6289. Air for G string / Joel Belov; Robert Gayler

|website=Discography of American Historical Recordings

|access-date=2020-10-03}} Contains audio of take A.

1919-01-03

| Belov, Joel

| Gayler, Robert [piano]

| Edison 6289 (F–H)

| Air for G string{{cite web

|url=https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/2000153411/6289-Air_for_G_string

|title=Edison matrix 6289. Air for G string / Joel Belov; Robert Gayler

|website=Discography of American Historical Recordings

|access-date=2020-10-03}}

1919-11-11

| Elman, Mischa

| Bonime, Joseph [piano]

| Victor C-9871 (5)

| Air for G string

1921-04-01

| Weißgerber, Andreas

| Raucheisen, Michael [piano]

| Odéon xxB6659

|

1923-01-24

|

| Royal Albert Hall Orchestra (Goossens, Eugene)

| His Master's Voice Cc2215(-4)

| [http://music.damians78s.co.uk/artists/conductors/g-m/a-b/eugene-goossens-iii/ Eugene Goossens III] at music.damians78s.co.uk website.

data-sort-value="1923-07-01" | {{circa|1920–26}}

| Soldat-Roeger, Marie

|

| Union A3012 (3)

| {{sfn|Milsom|2015a|pp=6–7}}{{sfn|Milsom|2015b|p=2}}

1923-08-10

| Strockoff, Leo

|

| Columbia AX126

|

1924-01-01

| Příhoda, Váša

|

|

|

1927

| Rosé, Arnold

| Rosé Quartet

| His Master's Voice Ck2847 (1)

| {{sfn|Milsom|2015a|p=12}}{{sfn|Milsom|2015b|p=1}}

1927-02-14

| Thibaud, Jacques

| Craxton, Harold [piano]

| HMV Cc9913

|

1928

| Rosé, Arnold

| Rosé Quartet

| HMV Ck2847 (2)

| {{sfn|Milsom|2015b|p=3}}

1929-11-04

| Hubay, Jenő

| Budapest Conservatory Orchestra (Zsolt, Nándor)

| HMV CV713

| {{sfn|Milsom|2015a|p=12}}{{Cite AV media notes

| title = Jenő Hubay – Carl Flesch: The HMV Recordings

| date = 1991

| publisher = Biddulph

| id = LAB 045 }}

1930-02-25

| Cassadó, Gaspar [cello]

|

| Columbia WAX5416

|

1930-09-16

| Huberman, Bronisław

| {{ill|Siegfried Schultze|fr|lt=Schultze, Siegfried}} [piano]

| Columbia WAX5007

|

1931-03-05

| Zimbalist, Efrem

| Sanderberg, Theo [piano]

| Columbia 98737 (1)

| Air on the G string{{cite web

|url=https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/2000145320/98737-Air_on_the_G_string

|title=Columbia matrix 98737. Air on the G string / Efrem Zimbalist

|website=Discography of American Historical Recordings

|access-date=2020-10-03}}

1932-06-16

|

| British Symphony Orchestra (Wood, Henry)

| Columbia CAX6441(-1)

| Air on G String

1936-05-20

| {{ill|René Benedetti|it|René Benedetti|de|lt=Benedetti, René}}

| Orch. de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire

| Columbia CLX1919

|

Soldat-Roeger's recorded performance of the "Air on the G String" was the subject of scholarly analysis.{{sfn|Milsom|2015a|p=12}}{{sfn|Cho|2017|pp=32, 36}}

=Appreciation of Wilhelmj's arrangement=

{{expand section|date=October 2020}}

In the early 20th century, Joseph Joachim called Wilhelmj's arrangement "a shameless falsification of a work by Bach".{{sfn|Milsom|2015a|p=7}} In {{ill|Casper Höweler|nl|Casper Höweler|fr}}'s XYZ der Muziek (1936, here quoted from the 1939 edition):

{{Verse translation|lang=nl|Het Air, alleen voor strijkers en continuo, met zijn volmaakte cantilenen in alle stemmen, van sfeer een onovertroffen ‘Der Welt abhanden gekommen’, heeft de ontstellendste majesteitschennis ondergaan, die de muziek meemaakte: de violist Wilhelmj maakte er een zwoel effect-stukje van, door het als ‘Aria op de g snaar’ te zetten, waarbij zoowel de evenwichtige polyphonie als de teere stemming vandalistisch vernield werden.|The "Air", exclusively for strings and continuo, with its perfect singing in all voices, breathing an unsurpassed "lost to the world", has suffered the most appalling regicide in music: the violinist Wilhelmj converted it to sultry claptrap by setting it as "Aria on the G String", thus vandalising and annihilating both its equilibrated polyphony and delicate atmosphere.|attr1={{lang|nl|X-Y-Z der muziek}} (1939){{sfn|Höweler|1939|pp=47–48}}|attr2=translation}}

British musicologist Donald Francis Tovey likewise criticized Wihelmj's arrangement, stating that "At my concerts [the Air] will be heard as Bach wrote it, in its original D major as an angelic soprano strain, not in C major as a display of contralto depths."{{Cite journal|last=Wen|first=Eric|date=2001|title=Stripped of the G String: Bach's Air from the Suite No. 3 in D|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41054328|journal=Theory and Practice|volume=26|pages=87–98|jstor=41054328 |issn=0741-6156}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Sources

{{refbegin|2|indent=yes}}

  • {{cite thesis |last=Cho |first=Jung Yoon |date=2017 |title=Re-interpreting Brahms Violin Sonatas: Understanding the Composer's Expectations |type=PhD |publisher=University of Leeds |url=http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/17924/1/Cho_JY_Music_PhD_2017.pdf}}
  • {{cite thesis |last=French |first=Hannah Chloe |date=2014 |title=The Role of Sir Henry J. Wood in the English Bach Awakening: Orchestral Bach at the Proms 1895-1944 |type=PhD |publisher=University of Leeds |url=http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/7515/1/Hannah%20French%20PhD%20Vols%20I%20and%20II%20combined.pdf }}
  • {{cite book

|last1 = Höweler

|first1 = Casper

|author-link1 = :fr:Casper Höweler

|display-authors = etal

|date = 1939

|chapter = Bach, Johann Sebastian

|trans-chapter =

|chapter-url = https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/howe003xyzd01_01/howe003xyzd01_01_0037.php

|title = X-Y-Z der muziek

|trans-title = X-Y-Z of Music

|url = https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/howe003xyzd01_01/index.php

|language = nl

|edition = 3rd

|location = Utrecht

|publisher = W. de Haan

|pages = 5–48}}

  • {{cite web

|url=https://www.operadis-opera-discography.org.uk/NEWGERM2.HTM

|title=The Gramophone Company – Standard German Catalogue (A–B–C)

|last=Kelly

|first=Allen

|author-link=

|date=2009

|orig-year=1994

|editor-last=Capon

|editor-first=Brian

|website=operadis-opera-discography.org.uk}}

  • {{cite report

| last1 = Milsom

| first1 = David

| date = 2015a

| orig-year = 2007

| title = String Chamber Music of the Classical German School, 1840-1900: A Scholarly Investigation through Reconstructive Performance

| publisher = Arts & Humanities Research Council (ahrc.ukri.org)

| section = Marie Soldat-Roeger (1863-1955): Her Significance to the Study of Nineteenth-Century Performing Practices

| section-url = http://davidmilsom.com/PDFs/Marie_Soldat-Roeger_Significance.pdf

}}

  • {{cite report

| last1 = Milsom

| first1 = David

| date = 2015b

| orig-year = 2009

| title = String Chamber Music of the Classical German School, 1840-1900: A Scholarly Investigation through Reconstructive Performance

| publisher = Arts & Humanities Research Council (ahrc.ukri.org)

| section = Discography

| section-url = http://www.davidmilsom.com/PDFs/Discography.pdf

}}

{{refend}}