Johann Bernhard Bach

Who was Johann Bernhard Bach?

Johann Bernhard Bach was a German composer, and second cousin of J. S. Bach. He was born in Erfurt, and his early musical education was by his father, Johann Aegidius Bach. He took up his position as organist in Erfurt in 1695, and then took a similar position in Magdeburg. He replaced Johann Christoph Bach as organist in Eisenach, and also as harpsichordist in the court orchestra in 1703. Most of his musical output has been lost, but amongst his surviving music there are four orchestral suites. It is known that J.S. Bach had individual parts prepared for performance by his orchestra.

His musical style has been described as being similar to that of Telemann.

The surviving orchestral suites are as follows:

Suite No. 1 in G minor

Suite No. 2 in G major

Suite No. 3 in E minor

Suite No. 4 in D major

They are thought to have been written before 1730.

Surviving keyboard music:

In addition to several organ chorales and 2 chaconnes, there are also 2 fugues by J.B. Bach.