Chill Listening Party!

We did a vineyard listening party for those light, breezy vibes, but this time we’re diving headfirst into the heavy stuff. We’re talking art-rock, post-rock, experimental tracks, Radiohead, Bjork, the avant-garde, and all that "what was the songwriter even thinking?" music. Throw in some classical too—which, let's be honest, can actually be pretty catchy if you know where to look. Basically, everything the mainstream pop crowd dismisses as "boring"

To kick things off, we're spinning Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach

Pretty sure I listened to this ages ago, just brushing up on my knowledge so let's get moving

Concerto no 1 in F major, BWV 1046: Without tempo indication

I don't think this track belongs in any "elevator music" category, but hey, since we're doing classical today...

It sounds like a bunch of instruments just hanging out and having a blast. Those trumpets? Pure magic. The melody repeats quite a bit, but it doesn't feel repetitive—if that even makes sense—because there’s always some new instrument or little detail popping in to keep things fresh.

Bach's Concerto no 1 in F major, BWV 1046: Adagio

Alright, time for the slow part. It’s always the same pattern: fast, then slow, then fast again. Standard stuff.

First, you get this little flute melody sounding all mournful, and then the violins jump in. There are these moments where the instruments just sort of sway back and forth—super smooth, though. Very classy.

Does every chill Baroque track have to use that same old trill? 😲 You know the one, where they just rapidly flip between two neighboring notes.

Bach: Concerto no 1 in F major, BWV 1046: Allegro

It’s got a similar vibe to the first movement, just more complicated. Honestly, everything in the Baroque era feels super straightforward to the ear melody-wise, but it’s actually kind of hard to wrap your head around because everything starts sounding "the same," and the structures get insanely complex (or maybe it's just me)

Light and airy, though there's a bit of a nervous edge to it

Concerto no 1 in F major, BWV 1046: Menuet - Trio II - Polonaise - Trio II
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It’s a long one and there’s a lot going on. At first, it sounds like some fancy ballroom dance (a menuet is basically a 😁 dance), but then things get a little darker before circling back to that dance vibe.
I keep picturing some super classy, high-society gala whenever I listen to certain parts.

The absolute best part is when those woodwinds start playing all happy-go-lucky🙏 It would be perfect for a commercial or maybe a scene in a cartoon.

Concerto no 2 in F major, BWV 1047: Without tempo indication

Already on my second concert out of six total.

What can I even say? It’s catchy, sure, but this Baroque stuff is seriously complex. Especially when that slightly melancholy flute melody kicks in. 🙏
It's wild to me how most things could be rushed through in two minutes, but that's not how Baroque works. Here, the melody has to navigate these incredibly intricate corridors.

Concerto no 2 in F major, BWV 1047: Andante

I blasted this and the last one a bunch of times back in high school. Not because of some music class requirement or whatever, just because they sounded awesome.

It’s a vibe. It's funny how I finally realized I was actually hearing something distinct, instead of everything just blending into one big blur. 🤔

Pretty sure there are a few others I've had on repeat too.

Bach: Concerto no 2 in F major, BWV 1047: Allegro assai

Man, I used to spin this one all the time back in the day. Total Slay Sebastian vibes. That harpsichord part? Pure drama at the end. 🙏

Bach's Concerto no 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Without tempo indication

This is killer. 🙏 Total psychedelia here (though that probably has zero to do with actual psychedelia 🙂), especially those parts where the strings just keep looping that same little melody back and forth at each other.

Concerto no 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Adagio

This thing is lightning fast—barely hits the thirty-second mark before it kicks into high gear. You get this super melancholy violin, then the harpsichord jumps in, and honestly, that’s pretty much the whole vibe.

Concerto no 3 in G major, BWV 1048: Allegro

What a total banger 🙏

It’s giving me Vivaldi vibes, but honestly, I don't think he would've ever gone this hard

Pauzica ☕

Got three more concerts left on my list to get through 😛

Bach's Concerto no 4 in G major, BWV 1049: Allegro

There's just so much going on at once here, all these breezy, fluttering melodies 😲

Bach's Concerto no 4 in G major, BWV 1049: Andante

I honestly have to put in some actual work if I don't want to just zone out during the slow parts of the concerto waiting for the fast stuff to kick in.🕺 Real talk.

Bach's Concerto no 4 in G major, BWV 1049: Presto

I don't know, man. That presto is hitting me a little hard. Feeling kind of lightheaded just listening to it. :unsure:

Bach: Concerto no 5 in D major, BWV 1050: Allegro

Pure insanity.

Just soloing on a harpsichord. It reminds me of when I used to shred on my electric guitar. Same vibe.

Bach's Concerto no 5 in D major, BWV 1050: Affettuoso

I listened to this one right before the last time I played it, and man, those sweet little melodies just hit different. Such catchy little tunes. 🙂

Concerto no 5 in D major, BWV 1050: Allegro (third movement)

Seriously, calling the first and third movements by the same name makes zero sense. I definitely need to add a note here.😲

It starts off with this smooth, breezy little melody, then suddenly that guy on the harpsichord goes absolutely wild using the exact same vibe as the first movement.

redbear12 said:Concerto no 4 in G major, BWV 1049: Presto

That presto feels a bit much for me. :confused:

Now you've got me thinking about the tempo. I went looking for other versions, and yours is definitely on the faster side. There are plenty of others labeled "presto" where I honestly feel like I'll fall asleep. 🙄 This one is quicker, plus they're using period instruments and historical tuning. 😉