Johann Sebastian Bach

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Eisenach, Germany (1685 – 1750)

Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685, Eisenach, Germany – 28 July 1750, Leipzig, Germany) 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 still amaze musicians today.

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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  • ClemeXX

    just pure genius, cant help but feel overwhelmed everytime I listen to his music

    yesterday morning

  • YuriFloyd

    I believe in Bach

    Friday afternoon

  • Rubvo

    Hete thee drinken en luisteren naar de cello suites van Bach. Het mooiste wat er is?

    Tuesday afternoon

  • WasNotWhyNot

    I don't get how people can be so elitist with wonderful music. example: the instigator with the cat avatar

    last week

  • Luhwah

    "If there is anyone who owes everything to Bach, it is God." - E. Cioran

    9 days ago

  • Vengerer

    Special thanks to Mendelssohn [3]

    9 days ago

  • mPandemonium

    Special thanks to Mendelssohn [2]

    11 days ago

  • Bluev2

    can anybody tell me what should I get for the best renditions out there? as the one's I have atm really do suck ballss. download link would be nice too. cheers

    11 days ago
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