Bach/Marcello Adagio, BWV 974 | Concerto In D minor | Calm Classical Piano

Bach's Adagio from the Concerto in D minor, BWV 974, on solo piano. Slow, singing, and unhurried.

The melody did not start with Bach. It comes from an oboe concerto by the Venetian composer Alessandro Marcello, published in Amsterdam around 1717. Bach arranged the whole concerto for solo keyboard, probably in his Weimar years around 1713 to 1714, and in this slow movement he dressed the oboe's line in ornaments of his own, written for the keyboard.

The concerto has had a confusing life. In the 19th century, Bach's version was published as a work by Vivaldi. In 1923 the oboe original was printed under the name of Alessandro's brother, Benedetto Marcello. Later editions gave it back to Alessandro.

Readers of Fifty Shades of Grey may know it too. In the novel, Christian Grey plays this Adagio at the piano and explains that it is Bach's transcription of an oboe concerto by Marcello, and it appeared on Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album in 2012. More recently, John Williams adapted it for Steven Spielberg's 2022 film The Fabelmans.

Put it on while you read, while you work, or whenever you want a few quiet minutes. Let it play through, then let the next one follow.

If you enjoy calm classical piano like this, Calm Classical Piano on Spotify gathers Satie, Debussy, Chopin, Brahms and more in one gentle playlist.

Our newest original, Autumn Prelude, is out now.

Where did you first hear this Adagio? Tell us in the comments.

This is calm classical piano from Tranquil Streams.