Premiere performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's St John Passion BWV 245 at St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig.

Johann Sebastian Bach (born March 31, 1685, according to the Gregorian calendar, or March 21, 1685, by the Old Style calendar; died July 28, 1750) stands as a towering figure in the annals of Western classical music. This German composer and musician, active during the twilight years of the Baroque period, is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest composers of all time, a reputation solidified and amplified since the influential Bach Revival of the 19th century.

His prolific output spans an incredible breadth of genres, showcasing his unparalleled mastery and innovative spirit. Among his celebrated orchestral works are the vibrant Brandenburg Concertos, while his instrumental compositions include the profoundly expressive Cello Suites. For keyboard enthusiasts, the intricate Goldberg Variations and the foundational collection of The Well-Tempered Clavier remain cornerstones of the repertoire. Organists revere his compositions such as the devotional Schubler Chorales and the dramatically iconic Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Furthermore, his vocal music, encompassing the deeply moving St Matthew Passion and the monumental Mass in B minor, represents some of the pinnacle achievements in sacred choral literature.

A Life Forged in Music: From Orphanage to Master Composer

Born in Eisenach into an already esteemed lineage of musicians, Johann Sebastian was the youngest of eight children. The Bach family name was virtually synonymous with musical talent in the Thuringian region of Germany. Tragically, he was orphaned at the tender age of ten. This pivotal event led him to the care of his eldest brother, Johann Christoph, who served as an organist in Ohrdruf and provided young Johann Sebastian with crucial early musical training. After five formative years with his brother, he continued his musical education in Lüneburg, further refining his skills and absorbing diverse musical influences.

By 1703, Bach returned to his native Thuringia, embarking on a professional career that saw him serve various Protestant churches in towns like Arnstadt and Mühlhausen. These early positions involved duties as an organist and sometimes choir director, laying the groundwork for his extensive church music. He subsequently spent longer periods in more prestigious courtly environments: first in Weimar, where he significantly expanded his organ repertoire and honed his compositional craft, and later in Köthen. In Köthen, under the patronage of Prince Leopold, he was largely engaged with chamber music, producing a wealth of instrumental works during a period of relative creative freedom.

The Thomaskantor of Leipzig: A Defining Chapter

The year 1723 marked the beginning of perhaps the most significant chapter in Bach's career when he was appointed Thomaskantor (Cantor at St. Thomas Church) in Leipzig, a bustling center of trade and intellectual life. This demanding role encompassed not only teaching Latin at the St. Thomas School but also providing music for the city's four principal Lutheran churches and directing the university's student ensemble, the Collegium Musicum. His tenure in Leipzig saw the creation of an immense body of church cantatas for weekly services, along with other major sacred works. From 1726 onwards, he began to publish some of his celebrated keyboard and organ compositions, making his genius accessible to a wider public.

Despite his unparalleled musical contributions, Bach's relations with his employers in Leipzig, as had been the case in some earlier positions, were often strained. These tensions arose from clashes over artistic vision, remuneration, and the sheer demanding nature of his duties. While being granted the title of court composer by his sovereign, Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, in 1736 offered some prestige, it did little to fundamentally remedy these underlying administrative challenges. In the final decades of his life, Bach dedicated himself to meticulously reworking and expanding many of his earlier compositions, demonstrating an enduring commitment to perfecting his art. He passed away in 1750 at the age of 65, following complications from eye surgery.

The Enduring Legacy: Bach's Musical Language

Bach's distinctive musical language transcended and enriched established German styles of his era. He achieved this through his unparalleled mastery of counterpoint—the intricate art of weaving together multiple independent melodic lines—along with his sophisticated approach to harmonic and motivic organization. Furthermore, he skillfully adapted rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly drawing inspiration from the vibrant musical traditions of Italy and France, integrating them seamlessly into his unique voice.

His vast oeuvre includes hundreds of cantatas, both sacred, designed for church services, and secular, often composed for courtly celebrations. Beyond these, he penned Latin church music, profound Passions depicting the suffering of Christ, grand oratorios, and intricate motets. Bach frequently incorporated beloved Lutheran hymns, not only as foundational elements in his larger vocal works but also in simpler forms such as his four-part chorales and sacred songs, deeply embedding his music within the spiritual life of his community. He wrote extensively for the organ and other keyboard instruments, exploring their full expressive capabilities. His concertos, for instruments like the violin and harpsichord, and his suites, designed for both chamber ensembles and full orchestras, exemplify his innovative approach to instrumental music. A hallmark of his compositional style is the frequent employment of complex polyphonic genres like the canon and the fugue, showcasing his intellectual rigor and expressive depth.

The Bach Revival and Enduring Global Acclaim

Throughout the 18th century, immediately following his death, Bach was primarily recognized and valued as a virtuosic organist, while his keyboard music, particularly works like The Well-Tempered Clavier, was chiefly appreciated for its didactic qualities—its use as a pedagogical tool for aspiring musicians. However, the 19th century witnessed a dramatic shift in his perception, heralded by the momentous "Bach Revival." This movement, spearheaded by figures like Felix Mendelssohn, who famously conducted a performance of the St Matthew Passion in 1829, marked a profound rediscovery and re-evaluation of Bach's entire compositional output. By the close of that century, comprehensive biographies had been published, and remarkably, all of his known music had been printed, making it widely accessible for study and performance.

The dissemination of scholarship on Bach has continued unabated, with periodicals and, in the digital age, websites exclusively dedicated to his life and works. Significant contributions to his study include the comprehensive Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV), a numbered catalogue that organizes and identifies his compositions, and ongoing new critical editions of his works, ensuring accurate and scholarly performances. Beyond academic circles, Bach's music has been further popularized through countless arrangements, such as the widely recognized "Air on the G String" (from Orchestral Suite No. 3) and the uplifting "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Recordings have played a crucial role in bringing his music to global audiences, with notable milestones including complete performances of his entire oeuvre marking significant anniversaries, such as the 250th anniversary of his death.

Frequently Asked Questions About Johann Sebastian Bach

What do the dates "31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685" mean?
This notation indicates that Bach was born on March 31, 1685, according to the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar predominantly used today. However, in his time and region, the Old Style (O.S.) Julian calendar was still in use, according to which his birth date was March 21, 1685. The Gregorian calendar was slowly adopted across Europe, leading to these dual dates for historical figures.
What was the significance of the "Bach Revival"?
The Bach Revival was a pivotal cultural and musical movement in the 19th century that saw a renewed and profound appreciation for Johann Sebastian Bach's music, which had largely fallen out of public performance and widespread recognition after his death. It led to the publication of his complete works, the first major biographies, and a fundamental shift in how he was perceived, elevating him from a respected organist to one of the most revered composers in history.
What exactly was a "Thomaskantor"?
The Thomaskantor was the director of music at the St. Thomas Church and school in Leipzig. This was a highly demanding and prestigious position, requiring the incumbent to not only provide music for the city's main Lutheran churches but also to teach Latin and music to the school's boys, prepare them for church services, and often compose new music weekly. It was a multifaceted role combining duties of a school teacher, choirmaster, organist, and composer.
Why is Bach considered one of the "greatest composers in the history of Western music"?
Bach's greatness stems from his unparalleled mastery of counterpoint, his profound emotional depth, and his ability to synthesize diverse musical traditions into a uniquely powerful and coherent style. His works are celebrated for their structural complexity, melodic invention, and spiritual profundity. He composed music of immense technical and expressive challenge that continues to inspire and awe musicians and listeners worldwide.
Did Bach compose secular music?
Yes, absolutely. While he is most famous for his sacred works, Bach composed a significant amount of secular music during his career, particularly during his time at the court of Köthen. This includes many instrumental works like the Brandenburg Concertos, the Cello Suites, and various keyboard compositions, as well as secular cantatas often written for celebratory court occasions.
What is the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV)?
The Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis, often abbreviated as BWV, is a comprehensive, numbered catalogue of Johann Sebastian Bach's compositions. Compiled by Wolfgang Schmieder in 1950, it provides a systematic and chronological organization of Bach's vast output, making it easier for scholars, performers, and enthusiasts to identify and reference his works. For example, the Mass in B minor is often referred to as BWV 232.