FEATURED COMPOSER |
Biography
Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 31th, 1685 in Eisenach, Germany. His was born into a great musical family - his father was the director of the town musicians, and all of his uncles were professional musicians. They believe it was his father that taught him how to play the violin and the harpsichord, and his uncle taught him to play the organ.
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After his parent's died in 1694, J.S. Bach moved in with his brother, Johann Christoph Bach. There, he studied, performed, and copied music, despite being forbidden to do so (as blank sheet music was expensive back in the day). His brother instructed him in the clavichord and contemporary music, giving J.S. Bach his beginnings in composition.
Bach studied at several churches and conservatories, holding positions as the professional organist and resident composers. He is most well known for composing:
- The Brandenburg Concertos
- The Goldberg Variations
- Mass in B Minor
- Passions (2)
- Over 300 cantatas
J.S. Bach is most well known for his work in progressing counterpoint, harmonic/motivic organization, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from cultures abroad (specifically Italy and France). These characteristics of Bach's music will be studied and discussed in the Baroque unit.