Johann Sebastian Bach Essay - 2919 Words

Throughout history, there have been many significant composers who have left their mark on the musical world. From Mozart, to Beethoven, to Chopin, to Brahms, each famous composer has had an influence on the music we hear today. However, perhaps one of the most influential of all composers is Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach’s effect on music history can never be over-exaggerated. Bach played a crucial role in influencing many later composers, such as Mozart and Beethoven, as well as many modern musicians, redefined polyphonic music and musical form, and created beautiful works of canonic music that still resonate with listeners today, over 250 years after his death. Born in March of 1685, Johann†¦show more content†¦Moving on into his early adulthood, Bach was hired to play in special services at a church in Mà ¼hlhausen, in which he was expected to compose the pieces he would play. It was this job that would earn him enough money to marry Maria Barbara, to whom he fathered 7 children, though only 4 survived. In the following year, Bach accepted a job to play in the court of Duke Weimar, and later became Konzertmeister (concert master). He afterwards sought a higher more prestigious title of Kapellmeister (chapel master), and accepted an offer from Prince Leopold of Cothen, in 1717. His work under Prince Leopold was, perhaps, the most enjoyable part of Bach’s career. â€Å"Unlike most Princes of his time, he was a player of considerable proficiency on the harpsichord, the violin and the viola da gamba, and contrary to current Court etiquette he played quite freely and informally with his Court musicians, treating them entirely as his equals.† (www.baroquemusic†¦.bach/html).The positive working atmosphere prince Leopold had created could have very well helped in encouraging Bach to write his music. When the prince traveled, Bach, as well as several other musicians, would accompany him, bringing along many instruments and an ingenious folding harpsichord. Upon arriving home, in 1720, from one of the prince’s extensive journeys, Bach learned hisShow MoreRelatedJohann Sebastian Bach Essay828 Words   |  4 PagesJohann Sebastian Bach was one of the greatest composers in Western musical history. More than 1,000 of his compositions survive. Some examples are the Art of Fugue, Brandenburg Concerti, the Goldberg Variations for Harpsichord, the Mass in B-Minor, the motets, the Easter and Christmas oratorios, Toccata in F Major, French Suite No 5, Fugue in G Major, Fugue in G Minor (The Great), St. Matthew Passion, and Jesu Der Du Meine Seele. He came from a family of musicians. There were over 53 musiciansRead MoreEssay on Johann Sebastian Bach1400 Words   |  6 PagesJohann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach was a German organist, composer, and musical scholar of the Baroque period, and is almost universally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. His works, noted for their intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty, have provided inspiration to nearly every musician after him, from Mozart to Schoenberg. J. S. Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, March 21, 1685. Bach’s uncles were all professional musicians ranging fromRead MoreJohann Sebastian Bach857 Words   |  4 PagesJohann Sebastian Bach Bach descended from a long line of distinguished musicians, and, after his death, several of his sons achieved musical prominence. He received his first musical training from members of his family, including his father, who was also a musician. He learned a great deal by studying the scores of other composers, assimilating the best musical practices of Germany, Italy, Austria, and France. Early on, he exhibited the work ethic that made him an extremely prolific composer.Read MoreJohann Sebastian Bach Essay1454 Words   |  6 PagesJohann Sebastian Bach was born into a family of musicians. It was only natural for him to pick up an instrument and excel in it. His father taught him how to play the violin and harpsichord at a very young age. All of Bach’s uncles were professional musicians, one of them; Johann Christoph Bach introduced him to the organ. Bach hit a turning point in his life when both of his parents died at the age of ten years old. Bach’s older brother Joha nn Christoph Bach took him in and immediately expandedRead MoreEssay about Johann Sebastian Bach 726 Words   |  3 PagesJohann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21st 1685. He is the son of Johann Ambrosius. 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In this paper, I will discover what Baroque era techniques Bach used in some of hisRead MoreJohann Sebastian Bach : A Comparison931 Words   |  4 PagesFrom Bach to Green Day: A Comparison I have always enjoyed the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, so I chose to listen to Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major (BWV 1048). This piece was composed in 1721 as a part of a six piece collection (Brandenburg Concertos). The rendition that I found is â€Å"performed on original instruments by the Early Music ensemble Voices of Music (Voices of Music). I chose this rendition in large part due to the faithfulness of the performance to the original manuscript. HereRead MoreThe Musical Influence of Johann Sebastian Bach948 Words   |  4 PagesThe Musical Influence of Johann Sebastian Bach   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Among the influential composers of baroque music, there have been few who have contributed so much in talent, creativity, and style as Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was a German organist and composer of the baroque era. Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia and died July 28,1750. Bach revealed his feelings and his insights in his pieces. Bach’s mastery of all the major forms of baroque music (except opera) resulted not only fromRead MoreJohann Sebastian Bach : A Classical Composer868 Words   |  4 Pages Composer Biography This biography is about the composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Johann Sebastian Bach was a magnificent Classical Composer; he was the archetypal composer of Baroque Music. Bach is very well-known and respected artist, he has written over 1100 compositions, but now this day in age Bach has a lot of very popular pieces, for instance â€Å"Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor† and â€Å" Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.† He’s fans love his music because it is very precise andRead MoreJohann Sebastian Bach : An Era Of Music1871 Words   |  8 PagesJohann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque Period, which was an era of music that took place from 1600-1750. He is well known for the styles and techniques used in his music, such as counterpoint and harmony, as well adapting French and Italian rhythms, forms, and textures to the German style. His music is respected and admired for its beauty and virtuosic elements, and has been portrayed as â€Å"T he culmination of an era† for utilizing many distinct baroque techniques