Subsequently, it was only really in the 19th century, largely thanks to Mendelssohn that interest in Bach’s music was reawakened. It is now almost a “rite of passage” for any aspiring piano player. It was only in 1801 (51 years after his death!!) that the Well Tempered Klavier (Bach’s famous collection of 2 preludes and fugues in every key signature for keyboard) was released. His music was accused by some of his contemporaries as being old fashioned and outdated as the new Italian style gained popularity. This is extraordinary considering the fact that he composed over 1,000 pieces of music!! Only about 10 of his compositions were printed during his lifetime!!. Incredibly, during his lifetime, Bach’s music was only known to a fairly restricted group of people. Thomas Leipzig where he was to remain until his death in 1750. His Brandenburg concertos were composed during this period.ġ720 – Maria Barbara died and in 1721 Bach married Anna Magdalena Wilcken.ġ723 – JS Bach was appointed cantor at St. As a result, Bach’s focus of composition turned to instrumental music and he produced sonatas, suites and violin concertos. The prince was more interested in secular music, particularly instrumental compositions. During this time Bach composed a large body of organ works and cantatas.ġ717 – Bach was appointed Kapellmeister at the court of Anhalt-Cothen. Have a look at this performance of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor played by Gert van Hoef:ġ707 – Bach married his cousin Maria Barbara Bachġ708 – he was appointed organist in the Kapelle of the Duke of Saxe-Weimer. The dramatic, almost haunting opening to the piece still captures listeners to this day.īach Toccata and Fugue in D minor Opening Section As Bach himself commented, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”Īt around this time Bach composed one of his most famous and enduring organ pieces, the Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565. The link between faith and music was a strong one in Bach’s opinion. In 1703 he was appointed organist at St Boniface’s Church, Arnstadt. JS Bach was mainly known in his lifetime as a virtuosic organist. In 1700 (at the age of 15 years old) Bach became a chorister at St. He went to live with his elder brother Johann Christoph in Ohrdruf where he had organ and Klavier lessons. He was the son of Johann Ambrosius Bach, but JS Bach became an orphan at the age of 10. However, it was Johann Sebastian who was to rise to be one of the truly all time greats and giants of the Baroque period. Johann Sebastian was from a hugely musical family.ĥ3 Bachs were cantors (choir leaders), town musicians or organists over a period of time spanning 300 years!
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JS Bach is firmly established as one of the all time great composers of the Western classical tradition, described by Wagner as “the most stupendous miracle in all music.” Bach’s Early Years
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He was born in Eisenach in 1685 and died in Leipzig in 1750. Johann Sebastian Bach was a virtuoso organist and composer.