Air on a G String

Air on a G String is a popular aria from the orchestral suite No.3 in D major by Johann Sebastian Bach. The aria was composed in honor of Bach’s patron Prince Leopold of Anhalt and became the first composer’s work ever recorded. The recording was made in 1902 by the Russian cello player Alexander Verzhbilovich and an unknown pianist.

 The curious title is believed to come from August Wilhelmj who arranged the piece for piano and violin and by changing the key and lowering the melody from D major to C major was able to play the whole piece on a single string of his violin, G string – thus Air on a G String. However, that’s only one of the versions. Some contend that the piece was originally meant to be played on one string.

Image by Diego Corte "Death plays violin"

Now, looking at the piece’s usage in ‘pop culture’ I was kind of perplexed. It turns out that this music – sounding most lightly and tenderly to me – has been quote popular for using in various horror-related ventures. For example, it was featured in the crime thriller Collateral, played when the villain fed his secretary to a shark in “The Spy Who Loved Me”, or was chosen for the video game “The Evil Within”. Maybe that’s meant to highlight the contract between beauty and violence? Of course the list of occasions when the melody is used is not limited to horrors only, but this very fact just was a bit of surprise to me.

Talking about arrangements (that are numerous, taken the popularity of the aria), I specifically like the one by Michael Silverman. His solo piano version of "Air on a G String" was recorded for the "The Good Wife" TV production on CBS last year 2013.

WOMAN

No woman, no cry – Bob Marley sang. Perhaps =) But no woman would also mean no love, happiness and eternal spring generators in our life! It’s no wonder that the International Women’s Day is also celebrated as the holiday of spring, beauty and awakening nature. Dear Ladies! From the whole heart, let me express my deepest admiration for such unique creatures as you are! You are truly wonderful, inspiring and unpredictable. We love you just as you are and are happy to have you as an indispensable part of our lives. Shine as the spring sun and always stay our guiding stars!

…she takes care of herself

She can wait if she wants

She's ahead of her time

Oh, and she never gives out

And she never gives in

She just changes her mind…

My favorite lines from the song of Billy Joel “She's Always a Woman” – a woman will always be appreciated and adored with all her virtues and flaws. Happy Women’s Day!