Johann Bach, biography Automatic translate

Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the most influential and revered composers in the history of European classical music, was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia, in the Holy Roman Empire (modern Germany). He came from a long line of musicians, and his family played a significant role in shaping his musical upbringing.

Bach’s family was connected with music. His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was a court musician, and his uncles were professional musicians. By tragic accident, Bach was left an orphan at the age of 10, having lost both his parents. He then moved in with his older brother, Johann Christoph Bach, who continued his musical education.

Bach’s talent as a young musician quickly emerged. He received his formal education at the Lyceum in Ohrdruf and became an accomplished musician, playing the violin and harpsichord. His early exposure to a variety of musical styles, from German and Italian to French, laid the foundation for his subsequent innovations.

At the age of 18, Bach received his first professional position as a court musician in Weimar. It was during this time that he began experimenting with composition and gained a reputation as an organ virtuoso. His growing interest in the art of composition led him to study the works of contemporary composers such as Vivaldi, Couperin and Buxtehude, which influenced his developing style.

In 1707, Bach received the position of court organist and chamber musician in Mühlhausen. During this period he wrote much of his early work, including church cantatas and organ pieces. However, his stay in Mühlhausen was relatively short: in 1708 he moved to Weimar, where he took up the position of court organist and accompanist at the ducal court.

Bach’s time in Weimar was marked by fruitful composing activity: among his famous works are the Brandenburg Concertos and the Well-Tempered Clavier. However, growing dissatisfaction with his situation forced him to look for work elsewhere. In 1717 he received the position of bandmaster in Köthen, where he composed predominantly instrumental music due to the Calvinist influence at court.

Tragedy repeated itself in 1720 when Bach’s wife, Maria Barbara, died suddenly. Despite difficulties in his personal life, Bach continued to create some of his most famous works, including the Six Suites for Cello and the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin.

In 1723, Bach became thomascantor in Leipzig, a position that required him to supervise the music of four churches and train choristers. This marked a turning point in his career as he turned his attention to sacred vocal music. The St. John Passion and the St. Matthew Passion, written during this period, are monumental works that demonstrate Bach’s mastery of choral composition.

Bach’s last years in Leipzig were marked by extraordinary productivity. He wrote a huge number of cantatas, motets and the Mass in B minor. Despite professional difficulties and conflicts with local authorities, Bach’s musical legacy continued to grow. His work transcended traditional church rites, and compositions such as the Goldberg Variations, Musical Offering, and The Art of Fugue demonstrated his mastery of instrumental composition.

The life of Johann Sebastian Bach was cut short on July 28, 1750 in Leipzig. Although his music was not widely recognized during his lifetime, his unsurpassed mastery of counterpoint, harmonic innovation and expressive depth elevated him to the rank of a musical giant. Bach’s compositions remain the cornerstone of classical music, influencing generations of musicians and earning the title of "master of masters" in the world of Western classical music.