Profile of Johann Sebastian Bach

Born:

March 21, 1685, his parents were Johann Ambrosius and Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt. Bach is the youngest of eight children.

Birthplace:

Eisenach

Died:

July 28, 1750 in Leipzig due to a stroke.

Also Known As:

He was a keyboard virtuoso, Konzertmeister (concert master), Kappelmeister (chapel master) and Kantor at the Thomasschule.

Type of Compositions:

He wrote among others, passions, concertos and orchestral suites.

Influence:

He was taught by his father how to play the violin and harpsichord. During his brother's (Johann Christoph} wedding when he was just 9 years old, Bach met Johann Pachelbel. Later on, when his father died, Johann Christoph adopted him and taught Bach how to play the organ. Bach's friend; Georg Böhm, introduced him to Hamburg's organ traditions.

Notable Works:

Some of his known works are his passions such as "St. Matthew Passion," "St. John Passion" and "St. Mark Passion." He also wrote the Brandenburg concertos (in F Major, D Major, G Major and B flat Major) and orchestral suites (in C Major, D Major and B Minor).

Interesting Facts:

When Bach was a boy, he had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in the Michaelis monastery choir at Lüneburg and later on with the Mattins Choir (Mettenchor).

Music Sheet:

Musette in D Major

More Information:

For more information on Bach and the Bach family, read "Tracing Bach's Steps."