BACH, Johann Sebastian

March 21st 1685 - 28th July 1750

Encouraged by his older brother, Bach studied the organ and composition from a very early age. His voice impressed his schoolmasters, and he soon had a scholarship to a wealthy monastery choir, where he would get free food and lodgings. As he grew, he soon lost his soprano voice, but still took part in orchestral playing on his violin. But Bach was more interested in becoming organist for his hometown, and so, in 1702, he returned home, to be given this post almost immediately. Unfortunately, many disputes between Bach and the council, over his style of playing, prompted Bach to search for a job elsewhere. He soon found a job as organist for a town called Mühlhausen. On October 17th 1707, Bach marred his cousin, Maria Barbara.

In Mühlhausen, Bach renovated and improved the church and its music to a huge success. However, Pietists, who were very Puritan and against music and the arts, had a growing influence over Mühlhausen, and so, Bach was forced to find another job. He was offered the job of being part of the chamber orchestra in Weimar, and also being Organist to the Court. Bach complained that the new organ was inadequate and needed to be rebuilt, which it was, showing how much respect he had in the Court. Bach became known far and wide as one of the best organ players around. Bach was very disappointed when he wasn’t offered the position of Capellmeister when the former Capellmeister had died, and so, when he was offered this position in a place called Anhalt-Cöthen, he left Weimar.

The Prince at Anhalt-Cöthen was also a good musician, and so, became friendly with Bach, asking his advice on matters. In this relaxed, easygoing atmosphere, Bach composed most of his chamber music. In the summer of 1720, however, Bach received news that his wife had died four months earlier, and had been buried in his absence. Bach continued to stay in Cöthen, composing and performing for the Prince. A young girl caught his eye with her soprano voice, and in December of 1721, Bach and his new found love, Anna Magdalena, married. She looked after the four children of Maria Barbara’s and also thirteen of hers and Bach’s. The Prince also got married, but his new wife had no taste for Bach’s music, and so, he moved, with his family, to Leipzig.

Bach worked for some time as the Director of Choir and Music in Leipzig. In 1729, however, he left this job and focused on advising in how to build organs in and around Leipzig. In his final years, he devoted his time to composing, but after years of working in poor light, his eyes developed cataracts. These became infected, seriously damaging his health. Bach died of a stroke, but his grave was soon forgotten, since there was no tombstone to mark it.

Best known works: Toccata and Fugue

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