Johann Sebastian Bach

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(1685 – 1750)

Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685, Eisenach – 28 July 1750, Leipzig) was better known as a virtuoso organist than as a composer in his day. His sacred music, organ and choral works, and other instrumental music had an enthusiasm and seeming freedom that concealed immense rigor. Bach’s use of counterpoint was brilliant and innovative, and the immense complexities of his compositional style — which often included religious and numerological symbols that seem to fit perfectly together in a profound puzzle of special codes — still amaze musicians today. Many consider him the greatest composer of all time.

Bach was born in Eisenach in 1685. He was taught to play the violin and harpsichord by his father, Johann Ambrosius, a court trumpeter in the service of the Duke of Eisenach. Young Johann was not yet ten when his father died, leaving him orphaned. He was taken in by his recently married oldest brother, Johann Christoph, who lived in Ohrdruf. Because of his excellent singing voice, Bach attained a position at the Michaelis monastery at Lüneberg in 1700. His voice changed a short while later, but he stayed on as an instrumentalist. After taking a short-lived post in Weimar in 1703 as a violinist, Bach became organist at the Neue Kirche in Arnstadt (1703-1707). His relationship with the church council was tenuous as the young musician often shirked his responsibilities, preferring to practice the organ. One account describes a four-month leave granted Bach, to travel to Lubeck where he would familiarize himself with the music of Dietrich Buxtehude. He returned to Arnstadt long after was expected and much to the dismay of the council.

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classical, baroque, instrumental, composers, german
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1	Air full track	1,952
2	Air On A G String full track	1,467
3	Air on the G String full track	1,401
4	Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring full track	1,347
5	Toccata and Fugue in D Minor full track	1,253
6	Allegro full track	940
7	Badinerie full track	929
8	Aria	765
9	Ave Maria full track	721
10	Toccata in D minor full track	489
11	Adagio full track	479
12	Sheep May Safely Graze full track	478
13	Andante full track	294
14	Sarabande full track	279
15	Allegro Assai full track	223

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AnneChovie wrote:
Monday evening

All the musicians I know, even the ones who don’t like “classical” music – they all like Bach. And no wonder.

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Slayer_fanatic wrote:
Sunday evening

concerto for piano in d minor BWV1052 is the most beautiful,über,awsome music piece i've ever heard in my whole life!!!!

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Lemminkainenf wrote:
Friday morning

My favorite classical musician near to Sibelius.

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Seavas wrote:
Thursday morning

The Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 is either incredibly poor Bach or not Bach at all.

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Ferocca wrote:
last week

Toccata And Fugue is a true masterpiece. If you listen to the whole piece it's more than just the world-famous beginning. The part somewhere in the middle which almost sounds like medieval techno is just as good.

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harlanbrothers wrote:
last week

Here's something I produced for Michael Lawrence's incredible documentary "Bach & Friends." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6PBFa3VozE Bach's Contrapunctus IX was arranged and recorded by Jeffrey Hall. More information here: http://www.brotherstechnology.com/mandelbrot-zoom.html

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Urban_Lixy wrote:
last week

Check out Sagleri project, right here http://www.lastfm.ru/music/Sagleri

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gEEEERa wrote:
last month

@le_shambles, give him a break, he's 13 yrs old

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Enokii wrote:
last month

i'll never turn my bach to this awesome music.

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le_shambles wrote:
last month

@staticrequiem. then you need to get a more up to date sense of humour.

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loveBoAKwon wrote:
last month

Bach <3 [2]

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arturzinhu wrote:
last month

Bach <3

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StaticRequiem wrote:
last month

it makes me fucking 'LOL' that he has events when he's FUCKING DEAD.

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TERR1E wrote:
last month

the art of fugue. beautiful.

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ledvolta wrote:
last month

I love Bach

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space_monkey wrote:
last month

"There is one God—Bach—and Mendelssohn is his prophet."

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baslisten2rock wrote:
last month

BMV number of the 'chromatic fantasia & fugue in D minor' please? :)

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boderickq wrote:
last month

When are you gonna come play in London, baby?

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Emtay13 wrote:
last month

Beethoven, a similar artist? wtf..

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tyrique12 wrote:
last month

Johann, I want your baby! [2]

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