#Johann sebastian bach compositions professional

#Johann sebastian bach compositions professional

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. His uncles were all professional musicians, whose posts included church organists, court chamber musicians, and composers. 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 31 March 1685. He is now generally regarded 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 respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognized as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the nineteenth century. 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 Augustus III. Bach’s health and vision declined in 1749, and he died on 28 July 1750. Michael’s School in Lüneburg for two years. Apparently at his own initiative, Bach attended St. His father probably taught him to play the violin and harpsichord, and his brother, Johann Christoph Bach, taught him the clavichord and exposed him to much contemporary music. His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was the director of the town musicians, and all of his uncles were professional musicians. Bach’s compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Mass in B minor, two Passions, and over three hundred sacred cantatas of which nearly two hundred survive. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth.īach was born in Eisenach, Saxe-Eisenach, into a great musical family. 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.

Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March 1685–28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. Portrait of Bach, aged 61, Haussmann, 1748