Sebastian bach young
While in Lüneburg, Bach had access to St. He came into contact with sons of noblemen from northern Germany sent to the highly selective school to prepare for careers in other disciplines. In addition to singing in the choir he played the School’s three-manual organ and harpsichords. His two years there were critical in exposing him to a wider facet of European culture. Although it is not known for certain, the trip was likely taken mostly on foot. Michael’s School in Lüneburg in the Principality of Lüneburg. Also during this time, he was taught theology, Latin, Greek, French, and Italian at the local gymnasium.Īt the age of 14, Bach, along with his older school friend George Erdmann, was awarded a choral scholarship to study at the prestigious St. Bach exposed him to the works of great composers of the day, including South German composers such as Johann Pachelbel (under whom Johann Christoph had studied) and Johann Jakob Froberger North German composers Frenchmen, such as Jean-Baptiste Lully, Louis Marchand, Marin Marais and the Italian clavierist Girolamo Frescobaldi. He received valuable teaching from his brother, who instructed him on the clavichord. There he studied, performed, and copied music, including his own brother’s, despite being forbidden to do so because scores were so valuable and private and blank ledger paper of that type was costly. Michael’s Church in Ohrdruf, Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. Bach, aged 10, moved in with his oldest brother, Johann Christoph Bach (1671–1721), the organist at St. Bach drafted a genealogy around 1735, titled “Origin of the musical Bach family”.īach’s mother died in 1694, and his father died eight months later. One uncle, Johann Christoph Bach (1645–93), introduced him to the organ, and an older second cousin, Johann Ludwig Bach (1677–1731), was a well-known composer and violinist.
SEBASTIAN BACH YOUNG PROFESSIONAL
His uncles were all professional musicians, whose posts included church organists, court chamber musicians, and composers.
He was the eighth child of Johann Ambrosius, (the eldest son in the family was 14 at the time of Bach’s birth) who probably taught him violin and the basics of music theory. He was the son of Johann Ambrosius Bach, the director of the town musicians, and Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt. Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Saxe-Eisenach, on 21 March 1685 O.S. (31 March 1685 N.S.). He is now generally regarded as one of the main composers of the Baroque period, and as one of the greatest composers of all time. Modern historians believe that his death was caused by a combination of stroke and pneumonia.īach’s abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the nineteenth century. Bach’s health and vision declined in 1749, and he died on 28 July 1750. After graduating, he held several musical posts across Germany: he served as Kapellmeister (director of music) to Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen, Cantor of the Thomasschule in Leipzig, and Royal Court Composer to August III. Apparently at his own initiative, Bach attended St Michael’s School in Lüneburg for two years. His father probably taught him to play violin and harpsichord, and his brother, Johann Christoph Bach, taught him the clavichord and exposed him to much contemporary music.
His music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty.īach was born in Eisenach, Saxe-Eisenach, into a great musical family his father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was the director of the town musicians, and all of his uncles were professional musicians. He enriched 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 theBrandenburg concertos, the Mass in B minor, The Well-Tempered Clavier, two Passions, keyboard works, and more than 300cantatas, of which nearly 100 cantatas have been lost to posterity. Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period.