Johann Sebastian Bach (Mike Venezia) Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the world’s greatest composers. During his lifetime, he was known more as a great harpsichord and organ player than a composer. Most of the beautiful music he wrote didn’t become popular until many years after he died.
Here is an example of his music and signature.
He was born more than 300 years ago in Germany.
J.S. Bach’s father was a town musician, which meant he often played the violin at celebrations and special events. He probably taught his son to play the violin. J.S. He came from a large family of musicians. More than seventy of his relatives made their livings as musicians. There were so many musical Bachs in Germany that in some areas, being a Bach meant the same thing as being a musician.
Christoph Bach was known as an excellent church organist.
Johann Sebastian Bach played and composed his music during a time known as the Baroque period. In the 1600s and 1700s, everything in Europe seemed to have a grand, fancy, and decorative feeling to it. Art and architecture were created to show off the palaces and homes of kings, queens, dukes, and wealthy businessmen.
When J.S. Bach was nine years old, something very sad happened. His mother died – and only a year later, when he was 10, his father died. Bach, sadly, went to live with his older brother, Christoph, in the nearby town of Ohrdruf.
Instead of signing his name to his music, he would write “Soli Deo Gloria,” which means “To God only be the glory.”
In 1720, Bach’s wife died, leaving him with four children. Three years later, Bach accepted a job as director of music in the historic city of Leipzig. This was probably Sebastian’s busiest time. He was responsible for composing and directing music for four churches, a school choir, a university choir, and any music the city might need for special events.
One church where he worked was St. Thomas Church.
The organ at St. Thomas Church.
Sebastian remarried in 1721. His new wife’s name was Anna Magdalena. Anna Magdalena and Sebastian ended up having thirteen children. With four children from his first marriage, Sebastian was very busy taking care of a large family.
Sebastian remarried in 1721. His new wife’s name was Anna Magdalena. Anna Magdalena and Sebastian ended up having thirteen children. With four children from his first marriage, Sebastian was very busy taking care of a large family.
It’s easy to hear Bach’s great music. It’s often played on the radio on classical music stations. There are hundreds of CDs of his work, too. Also, many neighborhood churches put on free Bach concerts throughout the year.