Famous upon death

Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, Germany. He was the youngest of eight children in a well known musical family. His mother and father died before Bach was 10. As an orphan, he moved in with his eldest brother, J. C. Bach. When he was a child, he learned to play every string and keyboard instrument and was four years ahead of all the other children in his school. Bach married his second cousin, named Maria Barbara, who was the inspirational force for his early compositions. They had seven children, 4 of whom survived to adulthood. Bach fathered a total of 20 children with his two wives. Four of Bach's sons grew up to be famous musicians as well. Bach was known to be opinionated, stubborn and hot headed! He spent some time in jail, got into trouble with his bosses and the musicians who played his music were afraid of him! He suffered from terrible eye sight problems near the end of his life. Bach died in Leipzig in 1750 from a stroke at age 65.

Accomplishments

1685 - Johann Bach was born.1694 - Bach's mother died and his father died eight months later.March 4, 1703 - he was a member of the orchestra employed by Johann Ernst, duke of Weimar.August 1703 - he was appointed organist1730 - Bach presented his second wife with a musical notebook for studies, known as the 'Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach'.1740 - By 1740, Bach was struggling with his eyesight, but he continued to work despite his vision problems.1730 - Bach presented his second wife with a musical notebook for studies, known as the 'Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach'.1740 - By 1740, Bach was struggling with his eyesight, but he continued to work despite his vision problems.1750 - Johann Sebastian Bach died.

Bach wrote 'Toccata and Fugue in D Minor' (1702), his first masterpiece; which stemmed from his bold organ improvisations. He composed over 1,100 works in all genres.Bach composed sacred cantatas—a total of some 300. He was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque period. His incredible output marks the summit of the polyphonic, or contrapuntal, style.

The density and complexity of his music are such that analysts and commentators have uncovered in it layers of religious and numerological significance rarely to be found in the music of other composers. Although he was admired by his contemporaries primarily as an outstanding harpsichordist, organist, and expert on organ building, Bach is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. His music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty.During his lifetime, Bach was better known as an organist than as a composer. For decades after his death his works were neglected, but in the 19th century his genius came to be recognized, particularly by romantic composers such as Mendelssohn and Schumann. Since that time his reputation has grown steadily.

Timeline

Biography

Fame Upon Death

Lasting Impact

Bach Video

Bach's Seal

Johann Sebastian Bach