Johann Sebastian Bach, born on March 31, 1685 (or March 21 according to the Old Style calendar then in use), and passing away on July 28, 1750, stands as an indisputable titan of Western classical music. This German composer and musician graced the late Baroque period, leaving behind an astonishingly rich and complex body of work that continues to captivate and challenge musicians and audiences alike. He is not merely remembered but revered for his profound contributions across various genres, from the grand scale of orchestral works like the six vibrant Brandenburg Concertos, to the intimate brilliance of instrumental pieces such as the unaccompanied Cello Suites. His masterful keyboard compositions, including the intricate Goldberg Variations and the foundational The Well-Tempered Clavier, alongside his monumental organ works like the evocative Schübler Chorales and the iconic Toccata and Fugue in D minor, showcase an unparalleled command of his craft. Furthermore, his vocal music, exemplified by the deeply moving St Matthew Passion and the majestic Mass in B minor, represents the pinnacle of sacred choral artistry. Since the burgeoning "Bach Revival" of the 19th century, he has been universally acknowledged as one of the most significant and influential composers in the entire history of Western music.

The Life and Times of a Baroque Master

Born into a distinguished musical lineage, the Bach family already boasted several accomplished composers by the time Johann Sebastian arrived in Eisenach, Thuringia, as the youngest child of a city musician. This musical heritage undeniably laid the groundwork for his prodigious talent. Tragedy struck early in his life when he was orphaned at the tender age of ten. Following this profound loss, he found refuge and further musical instruction for five years with his eldest brother, Johann Christoph, an organist in Ohrdruf. His formal musical education continued in Lüneburg, where he honed his skills and absorbed diverse musical influences. By 1703, Bach returned to his native Thuringia, embarking on a dynamic career that saw him serve as a musician for various Protestant churches in towns like Arnstadt and Mühlhausen. These early positions offered him invaluable experience in sacred music, particularly in composing and performing for liturgical services. He then spent more extended periods at the ducal courts of Weimar and Köthen. In Weimar, his focus intensified on developing his vast organ repertoire, leading to many of his greatest works for the instrument. Transitioning to Köthen, his engagement shifted primarily to secular chamber music, producing some of his celebrated instrumental concertos and suites. A pivotal moment in his career arrived in 1723 when he accepted the prestigious and demanding role of Thomaskantor (cantor at St. Thomas Church) in Leipzig. Here, he was responsible for composing and directing music for the city's four principal Lutheran churches, as well as providing music for the university's student ensemble, the Collegium Musicum. This period in Leipzig was immensely prolific, though not without its challenges. Bach often found himself in difficult relations with his employers, the city council, a common frustration for musicians seeking artistic freedom within institutional confines. Even the title of "court composer" granted to him by his sovereign, Augustus III (who was simultaneously Elector of Saxony and King of Poland) in 1736, offered little remedy to these persistent tensions. During the final decades of his life, Bach dedicated himself to meticulously revisiting, reworking, and expanding many of his earlier compositions, refining them into their ultimate forms. Sadly, his life concluded in 1750, at the age of 65, due to complications following eye surgery, a common and often fatal procedure in the 18th century.

Bach's Monumental Musical Contribution

Johann Sebastian Bach's genius lay in his ability to not only master the established German musical styles of his era but to profoundly enrich and transform them. He achieved this through an unparalleled command of counterpoint – the intricate art of weaving together independent melodic lines – alongside a sophisticated grasp of harmonic and motivic organisation. Beyond this, he possessed an extraordinary capacity to adapt and integrate rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from the vibrant musical traditions of Italy and France. This synthesis created a uniquely Bachian sound that was both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly innovative. His compositional output was astonishingly vast, encompassing hundreds of cantatas, both sacred for church services and secular for courtly entertainment. He penned significant Latin church music, powerful Passions detailing Christ's suffering, grand oratorios, and complex motets. A cornerstone of his vocal music was his profound engagement with Lutheran hymns, which he skillfully incorporated not only into his large-scale vocal works but also arranged as exquisite four-part chorales and sacred songs. Bach wrote extensively for the organ, establishing much of its repertoire, and for other keyboard instruments like the harpsichord and clavichord. His instrumental music also includes a wealth of concertos, featuring instruments such as the violin and harpsichord, and numerous suites, both as intimate chamber music and as grander orchestral pieces. Across many of his works, he masterfully employed the highly structured and intellectually demanding genres of canon and fugue, pushing their boundaries to unprecedented levels of complexity and emotional depth.

An Enduring Legacy and the Bach Revival

During the 18th century, the immediate decades after his death, Bach's reputation was primarily that of a virtuoso organist, highly respected by fellow musicians for his technical prowess and improvisational skill. His keyboard music, particularly works like The Well-Tempered Clavier, was valued more for its pedagogical qualities, serving as essential training material for aspiring musicians. However, it was the 19th century that witnessed a profound transformation in Bach's posthumous reputation, largely spurred by the efforts of figures like Felix Mendelssohn. This period, known as the "Bach Revival," saw the publication of major Bach biographies that shed new light on his life and works. By the end of that century, virtually all of his known music had been meticulously printed and made accessible to a wider audience, a monumental undertaking for the time. The dissemination of scholarship surrounding the composer has continued unabated, fueled by dedicated periodicals and, in the modern era, numerous websites. Key to understanding and cataloguing his immense oeuvre is the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV), a numbered catalogue that provides a systematic listing of his compositions, alongside the ongoing production of new critical editions that aim for the highest levels of accuracy. His music has been further popularized through a multitude of arrangements, some of which have become household names, such as the famous "Air on the G String" (from the Orchestral Suite No. 3) and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (from Cantata BWV 147). Recordings have also played a crucial role in bringing his music to global audiences, exemplified by commemorative box sets featuring complete performances of his oeuvre, often released to mark significant anniversaries, such as the 250th anniversary of his death.

Focus On: The St Matthew Passion

Among Bach's most profound and moving achievements is The St Matthew Passion (German: Matthäus-Passion), catalogued as BWV 244. Composed in 1727, this sacred oratorio stands as a monumental work depicting the final days of Christ, setting chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel of Matthew (from Martin Luther's German Bible translation) to music. Bach crafted this epic piece for a truly grand scale, employing solo voices, a double choir, and a double orchestra, creating a rich tapestry of sound. The libretto, penned by Picander (Christian Friedrich Henrici), skillfully weaves together biblical narrative with interspersed chorales and emotionally charged arias, providing opportunities for both congregational reflection and individual introspection. Widely regarded as one of the supreme masterpieces of Baroque sacred music, its emotional depth, structural complexity, and sheer beauty are almost unparalleled. The original Latin title, Passio Domini nostri J.C. secundum Evangelistam Matthæum, translates poignantly to "The Passion of our Lord J[esus] C[hrist] according to the Evangelist Matthew," perfectly encapsulating the work's spiritual gravitas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Johann Sebastian Bach

Who was Johann Sebastian Bach?

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period (1685–1750), widely considered one of the greatest composers in Western music history, known for his masterful command of counterpoint and his extensive output across various musical genres.

What are some of Bach's most famous works?

Bach composed an incredibly vast and diverse array of works. Some of his most celebrated compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, Cello Suites, Goldberg Variations, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, St Matthew Passion, and Mass in B minor.

What musical period did Bach belong to?

Bach was a central figure of the late Baroque period, which roughly spanned from 1600 to 1750. His music is considered the culmination of Baroque style, particularly in its complex counterpoint and rich harmonic language.

Where did Bach work during his lifetime?

Bach held significant musical positions across various towns and courts in Germany. His career included roles as a church musician in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, court musician in Weimar and Köthen, and most notably, as Thomaskantor (cantor at St. Thomas Church) in Leipzig, where he spent the last 27 years of his life.

What influenced Bach's musical style?

Bach's style was a sophisticated synthesis of established German traditions, particularly in his mastery of counterpoint and Lutheran chorales, combined with adaptations of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, primarily from Italian and French musical styles.

How was Bach's music received during his lifetime?

During his lifetime, Bach was highly regarded as a virtuoso organist and improviser, and his keyboard music was valued for its didactic qualities. While respected by fellow musicians, his widespread compositional genius was not fully appreciated by the general public until the 19th-century Bach Revival.

When did the "Bach Revival" happen?

The "Bach Revival" largely began in the 19th century, notably spurred by Felix Mendelssohn's 1829 performance of the St Matthew Passion. This period saw a renewed interest in his compositions, leading to the publication of his complete works and a significant rise in his posthumous fame.

What is The St Matthew Passion?

The St Matthew Passion, BWV 244, is a sacred oratorio composed by Bach in 1727. It sets chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel of Matthew to music for solo voices, double choir, and double orchestra, and is widely considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Baroque sacred music for its emotional depth and dramatic scope.