By: Destiney Smith

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist.

He is famous for drawing together the strands of the baroque period, although he did not introduce this new form, he enriched the prevailing German style with a robust contrapuntal technique.

He was born in Eisenach, Saxe-Eisenach on March 21, 1685. He was the youngest child of Johann Ambrosius Bach and Maria Elisabeth Lammerhirt. His father taught him to play violin and harpischord. His uncle, Johann Christoph Bach introduced him to the art of organ playing. Bach’s parents died around 1964 so he was orphaned at 10 years old , but moved in with his oldest brother, Johann Christoph Bach.

It was at Bach’s brothers house he studied, copied, and performed music as well as received lessons on the clavichord from his brother. At 14, Bach was awarded a choral scholarship to study at the prestigious St. Michael’s School in Luneburg. After a productive life of many jobs, Bach died on July 28, 1750 from complications after surgery.

Court musician in the chapel of Duke Johann Ernst in Weimer

Organist at St. Blasius in Muhlhausen Organist and concertmaster at the ducal court in

Weimer Served as the kapellmeister(director of Music) for

Leopold( prince of Anhalt-Kothen Appointed cantor of the Thomasschule at St.

Thomas church in Leipzig. Director of Music in the principle of churches in

Leipzig Directorship of the Collegium Musician

Orgelbuchlein Great Eighteen Chorale Six Trio Sonatas Clavier-Ubung The Well Tempered Clavier The 15 inventions and 15 Sinfonias English and French Suites The Goldberg Variations Brandenburg Concertos Christ Lag in Todes Banden Wedding Quodilibet Mass in B Minor

In all Bach had 20 children. He had 7 with Maria, his first wife. He had 13 with Anna, his second wife.

Bach played at St. Thomas, one of the largest and most important churches in Leipzig.

Bach composed over 200 cantatas, in which one was about coffee addiction.

Bach was second cousins with his first wife Maria.

Bach had his own catalogued number system known as BMV ( Bach’s Works Catalog).