Johann Sebastian Bach(1685 - 1750) One of the greatest musicians of the world. He was Born at Eisenach.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
21^stMarch 1685 --- 28^thJuly 1750

Johann Sebastian Bach(1685 - 1750) One of the greatest musicians of the world. He was Born at Eisenach of a
family of noted musical talent the influence of several members of which upon their relative was in some
degree responsible for the great result, Before Bach was 10 his father, Ambrosius died.

The boy was brought up by his brother Christoph, an organist at Ohrudruf who withheld from him MS. of organ
compositions by great masters, perhaps from jealously, but possibly only for some misguided disciplinarian
reason. However, Bach obtained access to the book, and copied it by moonlight. But the copy was taken from
him when discovered, although the work had taken the boy 6 months to accomplish. His beautiful soprano
voice gained him a place in the choir, St Michael's school at Luneberg, where he practice as an accompanist
on the harpsichord and after his voice broke as a violinist.

This was in 1700, and 3 years later he obtained a royal appointment at the court of Weimar, where he became
acquainted with Italian music. The same year he became organist at the new church of Arnstadt, and here he
began to compose. His brother's enlistment with the Swedish Guard, led to the composition in 1704 of the
"Capriccio on the departure of a Brother", which was followed and also preceded by several of his church
cantatas. At this time Bach obtained permission to go to Lubeck in order to hear the great Danish organist
Buxtehude, then 68 years old. In his enthusiasm, he over-stayed his leave and this, with other reasons, led
to a fresh appointment at Muhlhausen in 1707. He stayed here only a year,during which he married a cousin
Maria Barbara Bach. In 1708, aged 23 he returned to Weimar as court organist.

Here he spent 9 years and composed a number of church cantatas, while a close study of Italian masters gave
him a thorough mastery of their style,the foundations being thus formed for his later instrumental work. On
one journey from Weimar in 1717 a quarrel arose between the supporters of Bach and those of the French
organist Marchand and a contest was arranged at Dresden. On the day fixed for the trial the French musician
was nowhere to be found,genuine acknowledgment of Bachs superiority rather than jealousy or fear being the
causes of his flight. In 1717 Bach,left Weimar for the service of the Duke of Anhalt-Cothen and in 1720 his
wife died, in the following year he married Anna Magdalena Wilcken, who assisted him by copying his musical
scores.   It was then that Bach began the composition of his suites, and the first half of the Forty-eight
Preludes and Fugues was also written at Cothen, though many years separated the first from the complemental
portion.

In 1723, after some difficulty, Bach was appointed to the vacant position of canter of the St Thomas School
at Leipzig. Here he wrote all his finest choral work which includes the 2 settings of the story of the
Passion and the Mass B minor. In 1733 he presented 2 movements from the latter composition to Frederick
Augustus,he received the title of Hofcomponist. In 1747 he visited Frederick the Great at Potsdam. The king
himself a musical amateur, received him with the great Stevenard. Years later Bach's eyes became painfully
troublesome, and total blindness resulted from an operation. Apoplexy caused his death, aggravated by the
remedies used during the operation. His clavier and harpsichord pieces Bach introduced improvements
in fingering, though modern fingering came only with Clementi (1752-1832). Bach was an expert at tuning
keyboard instruments he wrote 2 sets of preludes and fugues in all the major and minor keys.As an organist
he was supreme in his day, his organ compositions include a great many Preludes and Toccatas with Fugues
Fantasies and particularly the 143 Chorale Preludes designed to introduce the hymn of the day in church.
Last Updated on 2016
By Steven Ritchie

And now for the Music

Thanks to João Rocha for the music below. Email (joao.rocha@loggo.com.br)
"Cantata No.106,"Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit(Actus tragicus)I.Sonatina". Sequenced by João Rocha
Thanks to Geoff Retallick for the music below. Email (g.retallick@btinternet.com)
(2653)"Siciliano, Arranged for Flute with Guitar accomp". Sequenced by Geoff Retallick
Thanks to Tony Matthews for the music below. Email (TonyM@absolutesolutions.co.uk)
(2438)"The Double Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV 1043". Sequenced by Tony Matthews.

(2439)"The Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565.(Busoni Piano Arr.)". Sequenced by Tony Matthews.

Thanks to Sandy MacDonald for the music below. Email (sandymacdonald@lineone.net).
(2380)"Bradenurg No 6 for three guitars". Sequenced by Sandy MacDonald.

Thanks to J.Byron for the music below. Email (stealth@scotlandmail.com).
(2214)"BWV 974". done for strings & piano a nicely sequenced by J.Byron

Thanks to Emily for the music below. Email (HappyMusician@opendiary.com).
(1893)"Courante from the First suite for solo cello". Sequenced by Emily Gray

Thanks to Bruce W. Leslie for the music below. Email (bruce@wleslie.freeserve.co.uk).
(1838)"Brandenburg No.2, Mov.1". Sequenced by Bruce W. Leslie

(1839)"Brandenburg No.2, Mov.2". Sequenced by Bruce W. Leslie

(1840)"Brandenburg No.2, Mov.3". Sequenced by Bruce W. Leslie

Thanks John Briggs for the music below. Email (jobri@venlig.freeserve.co.uk)
Please check these "texts files or here"german text" on the pieces below.
(1692)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.1". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1693)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.2". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1694)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.3". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1695)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.4". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1696)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.5". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1697)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.6". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1698)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.7". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1699)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.8". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1700)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.9". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1701)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.10". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1702)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.11". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1703)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.12". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1704)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.13". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1705)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.14". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1706)"Max Stevener, a Piano version of Bachs two part inventions No.15". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1678)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.1". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1679)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.2". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1680)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.3". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1681)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.4". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1682)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.5". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1683)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.6". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1684)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.7". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1685)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.8". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1686)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.9". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1687)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.10". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1688)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.11". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1689)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.12". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1690)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.13". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1717)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.14". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1673)"Max Stevener version of Bachs two part inventions No.15". Sequenced by John Briggs

(1673)"Max Stevener version of Bachs 2 part inventions". Sequenced by John Briggs

Thanks to Michael Figueroa for the music below. Email (MFsharp7@aol.com)
(1666)"Double Violin Concerto, Mov.1". Sequenced by Michael Figueroa

(1667)"Double Violin Concerto, Mov.3". Sequenced by Michael Figueroa

Thanks to Carl Bertram for the music below. Email (Hal486@aol.com).
(1668)"Two Part Invention in F Major, Variations". Sequenced by Carl Bertram

Thanks to George Pollen for the music below. Check out my Bookmarks page for his Website.
(776)"Passaglia and Fugue in C minor". Sequenced by George Pollen
708)"Preludium". Sequenced by George Pollen
(707)"Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring". Sequenced by George Pollen

(559)"Badanerie". Sequenced by George Pollen

(559)"Air on the G string". Sequenced by George Pollen

(40)"Famous Toccata and Fugue in D". Sequenced by Kenneth J Settleayer Jnr

(98)"Badinerie Aus Der 2 Ouvert". Sequenced by Ralph Van Zetten

(150)"3rd English Suite". Sequenced by David Siu

(251)"Minuet in G". Sequenced by Matt Dolmage

(292)"Prelude and Fugue BWV 522". Sequenced by Dean & Alice Lampe
(294)"Clavierubung Part 111, Duet No.2 in F Major BWV 803". Sequenced by David Jao
(296)"Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 850". Sequenced by S.D.Rodrian
(297)"Prelude and Fugue in C Sharp BWV 872". Sequenced by S.D.Rodrian
(298)"Prelude and Fugue in A, BWV 888". Sequenced by S.D.Rodrian
(299)"Tocatto No.1 in F Sharp Minor, BWV 910". Sequenced by David J Grossman
(300)"Partita No.2 in D Minor". Sequenced by David J Grossman
Thanks to "Sir Vocalise" for the music below.
(340)"Lute Suite No.4 in E Major 1.Prelude - BWV 1006". Sequenced by Sir Vocalise
(341)"Lute Suite No.4 in E Major 2.Loure - BWV 1006". Sequenced by Sir Vocalise
Thanks to Welton Barker for the music below.
"Concerto for Two Harpsichords No.11". Sequenced by Welton Barker,
"Concerto for Two Harpsichords No.12". Sequenced by Welton Barker
"Concerto for Two Harpsichords No.13". Sequenced by Welton Barker,
"Sheep may safely graze, from Conatate 208". Sequenced by M.Sai

B Minor Mass, movement 15: Et incarnatus & Crucifixus (Info by Michael Z)". Sequencer Unknown
(782)"Two-Part Invention in B-flat Major,(Info by Virginia Moe & Edward Gold)". Sequencer unknown

(585)"LOBE DEN HERREN" and comes from "Stralsund Gesangbuch," 1665 (info by Harold R. Nichols) Sequencer Unkmown

(559)"Finale of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. (Info by Donal Hurley)". Sequencer unknown

(564)"Preludio, from Partita III in E Major BWV 1006 (Info by Natalie Jankowski)". Sequencer unknown

(7)"Suite in E No,833". Sequencer unknown

(69)"First Mov in E Major, Volin Concerto (Info by Ed.) Sequencer unknown

(80)"Gallia". Sequencer Unknown

(106)"The art of fugue Contrapunctus Xl". Sequencer Unknown

(109)"Unknown piece quite nice and lively". Sequencer Unknown

(112)"Praeludium in D moll". Sequencer Unknown

(161)"Prelude No.1". Sequencer Unknown

(162)"Brandenburg Concerto". Sequencer Unknown

(127)"Prelude in F sharp minor BWV 859a Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 (Info by Gary K Allen)". Sequencer Unknown

(348)"Fugue in C BMV 846b Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 (Info by Gary K Allen)". Sequencer Unknown

(25a)"Brandenburg Concerto". Sequencer Unknown

(291)"Aria from the St Matthew Passion BWV244 (Info by François de Dardel)". Sequencer Unknown
(293)"Fugue BWV 577". Sequencer Unknown
(295)"Partita 4 in D BWV 828 (Info by Gary K Allen)". Sequencer Unknown

If you done any Classical pieces of say for example, Delius, mozart, and so on etc,
please email them to the classical music site with details to
"classical   (@)    ntlworld.com" (written this way to stop spammers)
just remove spaces and brackets for email address), thank you.

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