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Johann Sebastian Bach

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Johann Sebastian Bach

Biography

Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. 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. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg concerti, the Mass in B minor, The Well-Tempered Clavier, two Passions, keyboard works, and more than 300 cantatas, of which nearly 100 cantatas have been lost to posterity. His music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty.

Bach was born in Eisenach, Saxe-Eisenach, into a great musical family; his father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was the director of the town musicians, and all of his uncles were professional musicians. His father probably taught him to play violin and harpsichord, and his brother, Johann Christoph Bach, taught him the clavichord and exposed him to much contemporary music. Apparently at his own initiative, Bach attended St Michael's School in Lüneburg for two years. 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 August III. Bach's health and vision declined in 1749, and he died on 28 July 1750. Modern historians believe that his death was caused by a combination of stroke and pneumonia.

Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the nineteenth century. He is now generally regarded as one of the main composers of the Baroque period, and as one of the greatest composers of all time.


Works for Winds


References

  • Hermann, Joseph W. "Fugue á la Gigue." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 9, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 527-535. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2013.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach, Wikipedia
  • Ragsdale, David. ""Passacaglia" from Cantata No. 12." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 9, edit. & comp. by Richard Miles, 200-205. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2013.
  • Schweitzer, Albert. (1905) J S Bach Volume 1 Digital Text.
  • Schweitzer, Albert. (1905) J S Bach Volume 2 Digital Text.
  • Seggelke, Martin H. "Fantasia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 547." In Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 10, Compiled and edited by Richard Miles, 960-969. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2015.
  • Terry, Charles Stanford. (1963) The Music of Bach: An Introduction Digital Text.
  • Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. (2010). Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 1. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 878.
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