Johann Sebastian Bach

Composer

1685 – 1750

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Who was Johann Sebastian Bach?

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque period. He enriched many established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Mass in B minor, the The Well-Tempered Clavier, his cantatas, chorales, partitas, Passions, and organ works. His music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty.

Bach was born in Eisenach, Saxe-Eisenach, into a very musical family; his father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was the director of the town musicians, and all of his uncles were professional musicians. His father taught him to play violin and harpsichord, and his brother, Johann Christoph Bach, taught him the clavichord and exposed him to much contemporary music. Bach also went to St Michael's School in Lüneburg because of his singing skills. After graduating, he held several musical posts across Germany: he served as Kapellmeister to Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen, Cantor of Thomasschule in Leipzig, and Royal Court Composer to August III. Bach's health and vision declined in 1749, and he died on 28 July 1750. Modern historians believe that his death was caused by a combination of stroke and pneumonia.

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Born
Mar 31, 1685
Eisenach
Also known as
  • Bach (1685-1750)
  • Bach, J. S.
  • Bach
  • J.S. Bach
  • Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
  • J. S. Bach
  • BACH Johann Sebastian
  • Johann-sebastian Bach
  • Johann Sebasitan Bach (1685-1750)
  • Johann Sebastuan Bach
Parents
Siblings
Spouses
Children
Ethnicity
  • Germans
Nationality
  • Germany
Profession
Education
  • St. Michael's School
    (1699 - 1701)
Employment
  • Michaeliskirche
Lived in
  • Eisenach
    (1685 - 1695)
  • Ohrdruf
    (1695 - 1700)
  • Lüneburg
    (1700 - 1702)
  • Weimar
    (1703 - 1703)
  • Arnstadt
    (1703 - 1707)
  • Mühlhausen
    (1707 - 1708)
  • Weimar
    (1708 - 1717)
  • Köthen (Anhalt)
    (1717 - 1723)
  • Leipzig
    (1723 - 1750)
Died
Jul 28, 1750
Leipzig
Resting place
St. Thomas Church, Leipzig

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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