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Johann Sebastian Bach
March 31, 1685
—
July 28, 1750
Biography
Johann Sebastian Bach stands as one of the greatest composers in Western music history. Born in Eisenach into a long lineage of musicians, he developed an exceptional mastery of keyboard instruments, composition, and musical structure from an early age.
Bach spent most of his career working as an organist and later as a cantor in Leipzig, where he was responsible for composing and performing music for church services. His output was astonishingly vast, ranging from sacred cantatas and passions to instrumental masterpieces.
Though not widely celebrated outside Germany during his lifetime, Bach’s music was rediscovered in the 19th century, notably through the efforts of Felix Mendelssohn. Today, his works are regarded as the foundation of Western classical music, admired for their intellectual depth, emotional power, and architectural perfection.
Major Works
- The Well-Tempered Clavier (Books I & II)
- Brandenburg Concertos
- St Matthew Passion
- St John Passion
- Mass in B minor
- Goldberg Variations
- Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565)
- Musical Offering
- Art of Fugue
- Orchestral Suites
Journey
- Germany (Eisenach, 1685–1695) · Birthplace and early childhood in a deeply musical family
- Germany (Ohrdruf, 1695–1700) · Moves to his brother Johann Christoph after the death of his parents, continues musical education
- Germany (Lüneburg, 1700–1703) · Studies at St. Michael’s School, exposure to French and North German musical traditions
- Germany (Arnstadt, 1703–1707) · First position as organist, early compositions and growing reputation
- Germany (Mühlhausen, 1707–1708) · Organist at St. Blasius Church, marriage and first cantatas
- Germany (Weimar, 1708–1717) · Court organist and later Konzertmeister, development as a composer of organ and vocal music
- Germany (Köthen, 1717–1723) · Kapellmeister at the court of Prince Leopold, focus on instrumental works
- Germany (Leipzig, 1723–1750) · Cantor at St. Thomas Church, major sacred works and final period of his life
- Germany (Lübeck, 1705–1706) · Long journey on foot to meet Dieterich Buxtehude, a formative artistic experience
Artistic Relationships
- Johann Ambrosius Bach, musician · Father and first teacher, who introduced him to music and shaped his early development
- Johann Christoph Bach, organist · Elder brother who continued his musical education after the death of their parents
- Georg Philipp Telemann, composer · Friend and colleague, godfather to Bach’s son Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
- Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg · Patron to whom Bach dedicated the Brandenburg Concertos
- Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen, patron · Employer and supporter during a highly productive instrumental period
- Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia, king · Encounter through his son Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, leading to Bach’s visit to Potsdam
- Frederick II (Frederick the Great), king · Direct meeting in Potsdam, which inspired The Musical Offering
Glimpses
- Bach was briefly imprisoned for several weeks after attempting to leave his position in Weimar.
- He had 20 children, several of whom became notable composers.
- During his lifetime, he was more famous as an organist than as a composer.
- His music was largely forgotten after his death and revived nearly a century later.
- He never wrote an opera, despite mastering nearly every other musical form of his time.
