His Music, Life, and Legacy.

Johann Sebastian Bach was born on the 21st of March in 1685 in Eisenach, Germany.

Johann was the youngest of his family. Son to Johann Ambrosius Bach, the director of the town musicians, and Maria Elisabeth Laamerhirt.

An orphan at age 10, coming from a musically inclined family, Johann and his siblings would continue their father’s legacy with their talents and come into their own making a name for themselves in the music world.

German composer, organist, harpischordist, violist, and violinist – Bach’s sacred and secular work through music brought the Baroque period to it’s ultimate maturity.

After Bach’s first marriage to Maria, whom he had 7 kids with, he became the organist and chamber musician for the Duke of Saxe-Weimar. During the 9 yrs of working for the Duke, he became a well known organ player.

“Where there is

devotional music. God is always at hand with

His gracious presence.” -JSB

Bach eventually changed jobs. It was said that in 1717, Bach went from one work to another, and a former employer put Bach into prison because he did not want to let him go.When Bach changed jobs, he started to work for Prince Leopold who was in love with Bach’s music. Not too long after in 1720, Bach’s firs wife Maria died. A year later he married Anna Magdalena. Anna and Bach would have 13 kids, totaling in 20 kids for Bach. A year later, Bach earned the prestigious title: Music Director of Thomasschule.

Johann Sebastian Bach became a high demand name for his knowledge and talent with the organ and his ingenious way with music. He then began to publish his own work. Bach wrote over 300 musical pieces, more than 200 of them were cantatas. All of this was written during a period of 7 years. He produced nearly one cantata every week.

“If I decide to be an idiot, I will be an idiot on my own accord.” -JSB

Towards the end of 1749, Bach began to lose his eyesight and he was operated on twice to help his vision. Some can argue that these operations had part in shortening his life.

Three months after his last operation, on July 28th, Bach died at the age of 65. He was buried at the sight below, in St. Thomas’ church in Leipzig.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s legacy leaves him to be known as one of the greatest composers of all time. His music helped set apart the Baroque period with the impact he had on the music culture. Bach’s music not only influences music’s history in the past, but also continues to impact the course of music today.

-19th century depiction of the Bach family at morning music practice with Bach at the

keyboard.

Cited Page

Hanford, Jan, and Jan Kosten. "J.S. Bach: Biography, Portraits, and Literature." The J.S. Bach Home Page. 1995. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <http://jsbach.org/>.

Sherrane, Robert. "The Baroque Period." Music History 102. 1995. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. <www.ipl.org/div/mushist/bar/bach.html>.

Sartorius, Michael. "Welcome to the Wonderful World of Music." BAROQUE MUSIC PAGE: Biogs, Pictures, Music Samples. Jan. 1980. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. http://www.baroquemusic.org/

"Basic Repertoire List - J.S. Bach." Classical Net. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/bachjs.php>.