Johann Sebastian Bach, a composer from the Baroque period, is one of the most influential and famous composers of all time. He has influenced countless musicians and some notable examples are, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, and Robert Schumann. Bach wrote countless masterpieces which many people still listen to today. This paper will cover his life and upbringing as well as some his famous works and how they contribute to music. Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685 as the youngest child to a family of musicians. He missed many days of school but still performed well. His parents died early in his life in 1695 when he was ten years old. Fortunately Johann Christoph Bach, the oldest child of the Bach family, took his brother
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In Weimar his style changed but unfortunately there is not information on him from 1708-1714. His cantatas from 1714-1716 show he was influenced by something. The director at Weimar died in 1716 who was succeeded by his son. Bach was upset he was not chosen so he looked elsewhere for work. This led him to Kothen and he became the musical director for Prince Leopold of Kothen. This involved writing cantatas for the prince’s special occasions such as his birthday. His first wife died in 1720. Bach married Anna Magdelna Wilcken the next year in 1721. It is believed Bach was happiest the years he was in Kothen besides his wife dying. He and the prince got along well until the prince got married. The prince could no longer give Bach much of his time. Bach felt neglected after a while so he looked for another place to work. He eventually got a position in Leipzig and where he produced many cantatas. Eventually he died on July 28, 1750.
Bach has influenced countless musicians and even Beethoven and Mozart, two well-known composers, studied Bach’s works. Brahms, who was an important figure in the romantic period, praised Bach and said, “Study Bach: there you will find everything.” (Johnson, 2006) Bach is famous as a composer today but he was not extraordinarily famous during his time. Many people thought his music was outdated and old. Mendelssohn brought Bach’s music back in 1840 by playing Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion.” This led to people discovering his music and this is why people listen to his music
In Weimar his style changed but unfortunately there is not information on him from 1708-1714. His cantatas from 1714-1716 show he was influenced by something. The director at Weimar died in 1716 who was succeeded by his son. Bach was upset he was not chosen so he looked elsewhere for work. This led him to Kothen and he became the musical director for Prince Leopold of Kothen. This involved writing cantatas for the prince’s special occasions such as his birthday. His first wife died in 1720. Bach married Anna Magdelna Wilcken the next year in 1721. It is believed Bach was happiest the years he was in Kothen besides his wife dying. He and the prince got along well until the prince got married. The prince could no longer give Bach much of his time. Bach felt neglected after a while so he looked for another place to work. He eventually got a position in Leipzig and where he produced many cantatas. Eventually he died on July 28, 1750.
Bach has influenced countless musicians and even Beethoven and Mozart, two well-known composers, studied Bach’s works. Brahms, who was an important figure in the romantic period, praised Bach and said, “Study Bach: there you will find everything.” (Johnson, 2006) Bach is famous as a composer today but he was not extraordinarily famous during his time. Many people thought his music was outdated and old. Mendelssohn brought Bach’s music back in 1840 by playing Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion.” This led to people discovering his music and this is why people listen to his music