Bach Johann Sebastian, whose biography is of interest to many music lovers, became one of the greatest composers in its entire history. In addition, he was a performer, a virtuoso organist, and a talented teacher. In this article we will look at the life of Johann Sebastian Bach and also introduce his work. The composer's works are often heard in concert halls Worldwide.
Johann Sebastian Bach (March 31 (21 - Old Style) 1685 - July 28, 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque era. He enriched created in Germany musical style Thanks to his mastery of counterpoint and harmony, he adapted foreign rhythms and forms, borrowed, in particular, from Italy and France. Bach's works are the Goldberg Variations, the Brandenburg Concertos, the Mass in B Minor, more than 300 cantatas, of which 190 have survived, and many other works. His music is considered highly technically sophisticated, filled with artistic beauty and intellectual depth.
Johann Sebastian Bach. short biography
Bach was born in Eisenach into a family of hereditary musicians. His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was the founder of the city music concerts, and all his uncles were professional performers. The composer's father taught his son to play the violin and harpsichord, and his brother, Johann Christoph, taught him to play the clavichord, and also introduced Johann Sebastian to modern music. Partly on his own initiative, Bach attended the St. Michael's vocal school in Lüneburg for 2 years. After certification, he held several musical positions in Germany, in particular, court musician to Duke Johann Ernst in Weimar, caretaker of the organ in the church of St. Boniface, located in Arnstadt.
In 1749, Bach's eyesight and overall health deteriorated, and he died in 1750, on July 28. Modern historians believe that the cause of his death was a combination of stroke and pneumonia. Johann Sebastian's fame as an excellent organist spread throughout Europe during Bach's lifetime, although he was not yet so popular as a composer. He became famous as a composer a little later, in the first half of the 19th century, when interest in his music was revived. Currently, Bach is Johann Sebastian, whose biography is more full version presented below, is considered one of the greatest musical creators in history.
Childhood (1685 - 1703)
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, in 1685, on March 21 according to the old style (new style - on the 31st of the same month). He was the son of Johann Ambrosius and Elisabeth Lemmerhirt. The composer became the eighth child in the family (the eldest son was 14 years older than him at the time of Bach’s birth). The future composer's mother died in 1694, and his father eight months later. Bach was 10 years old at that time, and he went to live with Johann Christoph, his older brother (1671 - 1731). There he studied, performed and transcribed music, including his brother's compositions, despite the ban on doing so. From Johann Christoph he adopted a lot of knowledge in the field of music. At the same time, Bach studied theology, Latin, Greek, French, Italian at the local gymnasium. As Johann Sebastian Bach later admitted, the classics inspired and amazed him from the very beginning.
Arnstadt, Weimar and Mühlhausen (1703 - 1717)
In 1703, after finishing his studies at St. Michael's School in Lüneburg, the composer was appointed court musician to the chapel of Duke Johann Ernst III in Weimar. During his seven-month stay there, Bach's reputation as an excellent keyboard player was established, and he was invited to a new position as caretaker of the organ at the church of St. Boniface, located in Arnstadt, 30 km southwest of Weimar. Despite good family connections and his own musical enthusiasm, tensions with his superiors arose after several years of service. In 1706, Bach was offered the post of organist at the Church of St. Blaise (Mühlhausen), which he took the following year. The new position paid much higher, included much Better conditions labor, as well as a more professional choir with which Bach had to work. Four months later, Johann Sebastian's wedding to Maria Barbara took place. They had seven children, four of whom lived to adulthood, including Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emmanuel, who later became famous composers.
In 1708, Bach Johann Sebastian, whose biography took a new direction, left Mühlhausen and returned to Weimar, this time as an organist, and from 1714 as a concert organizer, and had the opportunity to work with more professional musicians. In this city, the composer continues to play and compose works for the organ. He also began writing preludes and fugues, which were later included in his monumental work The Well-Tempered Clavier, consisting of two volumes. Each of them includes preludes and fugues, written in all possible minor and major keys. Also in Weimar, composer Johann Sebastian Bach began working on the work “Organ Book,” containing Lutheran chorales, a collection of choral preludes for organ. In 1717 he fell out of favor in Weimar, was arrested for almost a month and subsequently removed from office.
Köthen (1717 - 1723)
Leopold (an important person - the Prince of Anhalt-Köthen) offered Bach the job of bandmaster in 1717. Prince Leopold, being a musician himself, admired Johann Sebastian's talent, paid him well and gave him considerable freedom in composition and performance. The prince was a Calvinist, and they do not use complex and refined music in worship, accordingly, the work of Johann Sebastian Bach of that period was secular and included orchestral suites, suites for solo cello, for clavier, as well as the famous “Brandenburg Concertos”. In 1720, on July 7, his wife Maria Barbara, who bore him seven children, dies. The composer meets his second wife the following year. Johann Sebastian Bach, whose works are gradually beginning to gain popularity, marries a girl named Anna Magdalena Wilcke, a soprano singer, in 1721, December 3.
Leipzig (1723 - 1750)
In 1723, Bach received a new position, beginning to work as cantor of the St. Thomas Choir. This was a prestigious service in Saxony, which the composer carried out for 27 years, until his death. Bach's duties included teaching students to sing and writing church music for the main churches of Leipzig. Johann Sebastian was also supposed to give Latin lessons, but had the opportunity to hire instead of himself special person. During Sunday services, as well as on holidays, cantatas were required for worship in the church, and the composer usually performed his own compositions, most of whom were born in the first 3 years of his stay in Leipzig.
Johann Sebastian Bach, whose classics are now well known to many people, expanded his compositional and performing capabilities in March 1729 by taking over the leadership of the College of Music, a secular assembly under the direction of the composer Georg Philipp Telemann. The college was one of dozens of private societies, popular at that time in large German cities, created on the initiative of students of musical institutions. These associations played an important role in German musical life, being led for the most part by outstanding specialists. Many of Bach's works from the 1730s-1740s. were written and performed at the Music College. Last big job Johann Sebastian - "Mass in B minor" (1748-1749), which was recognized as his most global church work. Although the entire “Mass” was never performed during the author’s lifetime, it is considered one of the composer’s most outstanding creations.
Death of Bach (1750)
In 1749, the composer's health deteriorated. Bach Johann Sebastian, whose biography ends in 1750, suddenly began to lose his sight and turned for help to the English ophthalmologist John Taylor, who performed 2 operations in March-April 1750. However, both were unsuccessful. The composer's vision never returned. On July 28, at the age of 65, Johann Sebastian died. Contemporary newspapers wrote that "death occurred as a result of unsuccessful eye surgery." Currently, historians consider the cause of the composer’s death to be a stroke complicated by pneumonia.
Carl Philipp Emmanuel, son of Johann Sebastian, and his student Johann Friedrich Agricola wrote an obituary. It was published in 1754 by Lorenz Christoph Mitzler in music magazine. Johann Sebastian Bach, short biography which is presented above, was originally buried in Leipzig, near the Church of St. John. The grave remained untouched for 150 years. Later, in 1894, the remains were transferred to a special repository in the Church of St. John, and in 1950 - to the Church of St. Thomas, where the composer still rests.
Organ creativity
During his lifetime, Bach was best known as an organist and composer of organ music, which he wrote in all traditional German genres (preludes, fantasies). Johann Sebastian Bach's favorite genres were toccata, fugue, and chorale preludes. His organ creativity is very diverse. At a young age, Johann Sebastian Bach (we have already touched upon his biography briefly) earned a reputation as a very creative composer, capable of adapting many foreign styles to the requirements of organ music. He was greatly influenced by the traditions of Northern Germany, in particular by Georg Böhm, whom the composer met in Lüneburg, and Dietrich Buxtehude, whom Johann Sebastian visited in 1704 during a long vacation. Around the same time, Bach rewrote the works of many Italian and French composers, and later Vivaldi's violin concertos, in order to breathe life into them. new life already as works for organ performance. During his most productive creative period (from 1708 to 1714), Johann Sebastian Bach wrote fugues and tocattas, several dozen pairs of preludes and fugues, and the “Organ Book,” an unfinished collection of 46 chorale preludes. After leaving Weimar, the composer wrote less organ music, although he created a number of famous works.
Other works for clavier
Bach wrote a lot of music for the harpsichord, some of which can be performed on the clavichord. Many of these works are encyclopedic, including theoretical methods and techniques that Johann Sebastian Bach loved to use. The works (list) are presented below:
- "The Well-Tempered Clavier" is a two-volume work. Each volume contains preludes and fugues in all common 24 major and minor keys, arranged in chromatic order.
- Inventions and overtures. These two- and three-voice works are arranged in the same order as the Well-Tempered Clavier, with the exception of some rare keys. They were created by Bach for educational purposes.
- 3 collections of dance suites, "French Suites", "English Suites" and partitas for clavier.
- "Goldberg Variations".
- Various pieces such as "Overture in French style", "Italian concerto".
Orchestral and chamber music
Johann Sebastian also wrote works for individual instruments, duets and small ensembles. Many of them, such as partitas and sonatas for solo violin, six different suites for solo cello, partita for solo flute, are considered among the most outstanding in the composer's repertoire. Bach Johann Sebastian wrote symphonies, and also created several compositions for solo lute. He also created trio sonatas, solo sonatas for flute and viola da gamba, and a large number of ricercars and canons. For example, the cycles “The Art of Fugue”, “Musical Offering”. Bach's most famous orchestral work is the Brandenburg Concertos, so named because Johann Sebastian presented it in hopes of obtaining work from Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg-Swedish in 1721. His attempt, however, was unsuccessful. The genre of this work is concerto grosso. Other surviving works by Bach for orchestra: 2 violin concertos, a concerto written for two violins (key "D minor"), concertos for clavier and chamber orchestra (from one to four instruments).
Vocal and choral works
- Cantatas. Beginning in 1723, Bach worked in the Church of St. Thomas, and every Sunday, as well as on holidays, he led the performance of cantatas. Although he sometimes staged cantatas by other composers, Johann Sebastian wrote at least 3 cycles of his works in Leipzig, not counting those composed in Weimar and Mühlhausen. In total, more than 300 cantatas devoted to spiritual themes were created, of which approximately 200 have survived.
- Motets. Motets, authored by Johann Sebastian Bach, are works on spiritual themes for choir and basso continuo. Some of them were composed for funeral ceremonies.
- Passions, or passions, oratorios and magnificata. Bach's major works for choir and orchestra are the St. John Passion, the St. Matthew Passion (both written for Good Friday in the churches of St. Thomas and St. Nicholas) and the Christmas Oratorio (a cycle of 6 cantatas intended for the Christmas service ). Shorter works are "Easter Oratorio" and "Magnificat".
- "Mass in B Minor". Bach created his last great job, "Mass in B Minor", between 1748 and 1749. The Mass was never staged in its entirety during the composer's lifetime.
Musical style
Bach's musical style was shaped by his talent for counterpoint, his ability to lead a tune, his flair for improvisation, his interest in the music of Northern and Southern Germany, Italy and France, and his devotion to the Lutheran tradition. Thanks to the fact that Johann Sebastian had access to many instruments and works in his childhood and youth, and thanks to his ever-increasing talent for writing dense music with stunning sonority, the features of Bach's work were filled with eclecticism and energy, in which foreign influence skillfully combined with the already existing improved German music school. During the Baroque period, many composers composed mainly only frame works, and the performers themselves supplemented them with their own melodic embellishments and developments. This practice varies considerably among European schools. However, Bach composed most or all of the melodic lines and details himself, leaving little room for interpretation. This feature reflects the density of contrapuntal textures to which the composer gravitated, limiting the freedom to spontaneously change musical lines. For some reason, some sources mention the works of other authors, which were allegedly written by Johann Sebastian Bach. " Moonlight Sonata", for example. You and I, of course, remember that this work was created by Beethoven.
Execution
Modern performers of Bach's works usually follow one of two traditions: the so-called authentic (historically oriented performance) or modern (involving modern instruments, often in large ensembles). In Bach's time, orchestras and choirs were much more modest than they are today, and even his most ambitious works - the passions and the Mass in B minor - were written for far fewer performers. In addition, today you can hear very different versions of the sound of the same music, since in some of Johann Sebastian’s chamber works there was initially no instrumentation at all. Modern "lite" versions of Bach's works have made a great contribution to the popularization of his music in the 20th century. Among them are famous tunes performed by the Swinger Singers and Wendy Carlos' 1968 recording of Switched-On-Bach, using the newly invented synthesizer. Jazz musicians, such as Jacques Loussier, also showed interest in Bach's music. Joel Spiegelman performed an adaptation of his famous “Goldberg Variations”, creating his own work in the New Age style.
Born (21) March 31, 1685 in the city of Eisenach. Little Bach initially had a passion for music, because his ancestors were professional musicians.
Music training
At the age of ten, after the death of his parents, Johann Bach was taken into care by his brother Johann Christoph. He taught the future composer to play the clavier and organ.
At the age of 15, Bach entered the St. Michael vocal school in the city of Lüneburg. There he gets acquainted with the work of modern musicians and develops comprehensively. During 1700-1703 begins musical biography Johann Sebastian Bach. He wrote the first organ music.
On duty
After completing his studies, Johann Sebastian was sent to Duke Ernst to serve as a musician at court. Dissatisfaction with his dependent position forces him to change jobs. In 1704, Bach received the position of organist of the New Church in Arndstadt. Summary The article does not allow us to dwell in detail on the work of the great composer, but it was at this time that he created many talented works. Collaboration with the poet Christian Friedrich Henrici and the court musician Telemachus enriched the music with new motifs. In 1707, Bach moved to Mülhusen and continued to work as a church musician and engage in creative work. The authorities are satisfied with his work, the composer receives a reward.
Personal life
In 1707, Bach married his cousin Maria Barbara. He decided to change jobs again, this time becoming court organist in Weimar. In this city, six children are born into the musician’s family. Three died in infancy, and three became famous musicians in the future.
In 1720, Bach's wife died, but a year later the composer married again, now to famous singer Anna Magdalene Wilhelm. A happy family had 13 children.
Continuation of the creative path
In 1717, Bach entered the service of the Duke of Anhalt-Köthen, who highly valued his talent. During the period from 1717 to 1723, Bach's magnificent suites (for orchestra, cello, clavier) appeared.
Bach's Brandenburg concertos, English and French suites were written in Köthen.
In 1723, the musician received the position of cantor and teacher of music and Latin in the Church of St. Thomas, then became music director in Leipzig. Johann Sebastian Bach's wide repertoire included both secular and wind music. During his life, Johann Sebastian Bach managed to be the head of a music college. Several cycles of the composer Bach used all kinds of instruments ("Musical Offering", "The Art of Fugue")
last years of life
IN last years During his life, Bach quickly lost his sight. His music was then considered unfashionable and outdated. Despite this, the composer continued to work. In 1747, he created a cycle of plays called “Music of the Offering”, dedicated to the Prussian king Frederick the Second. Last job became a collection of works “The Art of Fugue”, which included 14 fugues and 4 canons.
Johann Sebastian Bach died on July 28, 1750 in Leipzig, but his musical legacy remains immortal.
A short biography of Bach does not give a complete picture of the composer’s complex life path or his personality. You can learn more about his life and work by reading the books of Johann Forkel, Robert Franz, and Albert Schweitzer.
INSTRUMENTAL WORKS
For organ
Preludes and fugues: C-dur, D-dur, e-moll, f-moll, g-moll, A-dur, d-moll, G-dur, a-moll, h-moll, C-dur, c- moll, C-dur, e-rnoll, c-moll, G-dur, a-moll, Es-dur.
Fantasies and fugues: g-moll, c-moll, a-moll.
Toccatas with fugues: F-dur, E-dur, d-moll (Dorian), C-dur, d-moll.
Eight small preludes and fugues: C-dur, d-moll, e-moll, F-dur, G-dur, g-moll, a-moll, B-dur.
Preludes: C major, G major, A minor.
Fugues: c-moll, c-moll, G-dur, G-dur, g-moll, h-moll (on a Corelli theme).
Fantasies: C-dur, G-dur, G-dur, h-moll, C-dur (unfinished).
Pastoral F major. Trio.
Passacaglia in C minor.
Concertos by Vivaldi (a minor, C major, d minor) and other authors. Konzertsatz C-dur.
Sonatas: Es-dur, c-moll, d-moll, e-moll, C-dur, G-dur.
Orgelbuchlein - 46 short chorale preludes.
Chorale variations: “Christ, der du bist der helle Tag (“You are all like a bright, clear day”); “O Gott, du frommer Gott” (“O you, sweetest one”); “Sei gegriisset, jesu gutig” (“I send greetings to you, my beloved one”) and others.
Canonical variations “Vom Himmel hoch, da Komm" ich her (“From the heights of heaven”).
Six chorales (“Schubler’s”).
13 chorales (the so-called “large”; the last of them is the dying one: “Vor deinen Thron tret"ich (“At the throne”).
Chorale arrangements “Preludes to the Catechism and other chants” (12 large and 9 small). Included in Part III of the Klavieriibung.
Chorale arrangements (mainly from the youth period), not included in these collections.
24 chorale arrangements (Kirnberger collection).
For harpsichord
Small preludes (parts I, II) and fugues.
15 two-voice inventions and 15 three-voice symphonies.
"Das Wohltemperierte Klavier" ("The Well-Tempered Clavier")
I part 24 preludes and fugues. Part II 24 preludes and fugues. Fantasies and fugues (fuguettes): a-moll, d-moll, c-moll, B-dur, D-dur. Chromatic fantasy and fugue in d minor. The Art of Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge).
Separate preludes and fugues.
Toccatas: fis-moll, c-moll, D-dur, d-moll, e-moll, g-moll, G-dur.
Fantasies: g-moll, c-moll, g-moll.
Fantasia Rondo in C minor.
Preludes (fantasies) c-moll, a-moll.
Suites: 6 French suites: d-moll, c-moll, h-moll, Es-dur, G-dur, E-dur.
6 English suites: A-dur, a-moll, g-moll, F-dur, e-moll, d-moll.
Klavierubung ("Klavier School"):
Part I. Partitas: B-dur, c-moll, a-moll, D-dur, G-dur, e-moll.
Part II. Italian Concerto and Partita (French Overture) B minor.
Part III. 21 Choral Prelude (also for organ), Prelude and triple fugue Es-dur, 4 duets: e-moll, F-dur, G-dur, a-moll.
Part IV. Aria with 30 variations (“Goldberg Variations”). “Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother” B major. Capriccio E major. (in honor of J. C. Bach). Aria variata alia maniera italiana (Aria varied in Italian
manner) a-minor. Minuets: G-dur, G-moll, G-dur (from the keyboard book of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach). Sonatas. Scherzo d-moll (variant e-moll).
HARPENTRY ARRANGEMENTS OF OWN WORKS
Sonata in d minor (arrangement of the 2nd violin sonata in a minor).
Suite in E major (arrangement of the 3rd violin partita). Adagio G major (from the 3rd violin sonata).
TREATMENTS FOR THE CLAVIER OF WORKS BY OTHER AUTHORS
Sonata in a minor (from “Hortus musicus” - “ Musical Garden"I. A. Reinken).
Sonata in C major (from the same place).
Fugue B-dur (from the same place).
Fugue B major (arrangement of fugues by Erzelius).
16 concerts by Vivaldi, Marcello, Telemann, Johann Ernest of Weimar.
ORCHESTRA WORKS
Overtures (suites).
No. 1, C major; No. 2, h-moll; No. 3, D major; No. 4, D major; No. 5, g-moll. Symphony in F major.
6 “Brandenburg” concerts: No. 1, F-dur; No. 2, F-dur; No. 3, G major;
No. 4, G major; No. 5, D major; No. 6, B major.
Concertos for harpsichord with orchestral accompaniment: No. 1, d-moll; No. 2, E-dur; No. 3, D major; No. 4, A major; No. 5, f-moll; No. 6, F-dur; N° 7, g-molL
Concertos for two harpsichords with orchestral accompaniment: No. 1, c-moll; No. 2, C major; No. 3, c-moll.
Concertos for three harpsichords with orchestral accompaniment: No. 1, d-moll; No. 2, C major.
Concertos for violin with orchestra accompaniment: No. 1, a-moll; No. 2, E-dur; No. 3, d-moll.
Concerto for two violins with orchestral accompaniment in d minor.
Triple concert for harpsichord, flute and violin with orchestral accompaniment in A-moll.
Concerto for violin and orchestra in D major (excerpt).
CHAMBER WORKS FOR STRINGS, WIND INSTRUMENTS AND ENSEMBLES
Sonatas and partitas for solo violin: g-moll, h-moll, a-moll, d-moll, C-dur,
E-dur. Suites (sonatas) for cello: G-dur, d-moll, C-dur, Es-dur, c-moll,
D major.
Sonata for two violins with numbers, bass C major. Four sonatas (“inventions”) for violin and cymbal: g-moll, G-dur, F-dur, c-moll.
Trio for two violins and cymbal, d minor. Sonatas for harpsichord and violin: H-moll, A-dur, E-dur, C-moll, F-moll, G-dur.
Suite for harpsichord and violin A major.
Sonatas for harpsichord and viola da gamba: G-dur, D-dur, g-moll. For lute (arranged for harpsichord): 3 partitas: g-moll, e-moll, c-moll. A little prelude in C minor. Prelude, Fugue and Allegro Es major. Fugue g-moll Sonatas for flute: solo - a-moll; for flute with numbers, bass: C-dur,
e-moll, E-dur.
Sonata for flute and violin with numbers, bass G-dur. Sonata for two flutes with numbers, bass G-dur. Sonatas for harpsichord and flute: H-moll, Es-dur, A-dur. "Musical Offering"
SECULAR VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL GENRES
“Musical dramas” (“Dramma per musica”) and cantatas:
“Glide, playfully, the waves” (“Schleicht, spielende Wellen”).
“Discord defeated by changeable strings” (“Vereinigte Zwietrachb”).
“Arise, thundering sounds!” (“Auf, schmetternde Tone!”).
“Sound, timpani, and trumpets, sound!” (“Tonet, ihr Pauken, erschallet, Trompeten!”).
“Cupid the Traitor” (“Amore traditore”). For bass.
“The Contest of Phoebus with Pan” (“Der Streit zwischen Phobus und Pan”).
“About a life of contentment” (“Von der Vergnugsamkeit”).
“Aeolus the Peaceful” (“Der zufriedengestellte Aeolus”).
“The Choice of Hercules” (“Die Wahl des Herkules”).
“We have a new boss” (“Meg hahn en neue Oberkeet”) - Peasant cantata.
“Crowded with the glory of the heavenly century” (“Mil Gnaden bekronet”).
“Not knowing the sorrows of life” (“Non sa che sia dolore”).
“Let us watch in our cares” (“Lasst uns sorgen”).
“Oh wonderful song!” (“O angenehme Melodei”).
“O wonderful day, desired age” (“O holder Tag, erwunschte Zeit”).
“Hail, Saxony, blessed” (“Preise dein Glticke, gesegnetes
Sachsen").
“Let the chatter be silent” (“Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht”) - Coffee cantata.
“Everything forward in a rush” (“Schwingt freudig euch empor!”).
“Hunting alone invigorates me” (“Was mir behagt”).
“Scatter you, shadows of grief!” (“Weichet nur, betrubte Schatten”).
“Dig up the grave, destroy that crypt!” (“Zerreisset, zersprenget, zerstoret
die Gruft!").
“Most Serene Leopold” (“Durchlauchster Leopold”).
SPIRITUAL WORKS
Masses: h-moll (High Mass); F-dur, A-dur, g-moll, G-dur (short).
“Magnificat” (“Magnifies my soul”), D-dur.
“Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus” (“Holy, holy, holy”): C-dur, D-dur, d-moll,
G-dur, D-dur.
Passion according to Matthew, according to John, according to Luke, according to Mark. Oratorios: “Rozhdestvenskaya” (in 6 parts); “Easter” (“Kommt, eilet und laufet” - “Hurry, oh people!”); “On the Ascension” (cantata no. 11). Motets: “Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied” (“ New song sing to him"), for 8 voices, B-dur. “Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf” (“The high spirit will strengthen us”), for
8 voices, B major.
“Furchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir” (“Don’t be afraid, I’m with you!”), for 8 voices.
"Komm, Jesu, Komm!" “Come, Jesus!”, for 8 voices. “Jesu, meine Freude” (“My joy”), for 5 voices, e-moll. “Lobet den Herrri” (“Praise the Lord”), for 4 voices, C major. Spiritual cantatas (199 in total).
185 chorales for four voices from the collection of C. F. E. Bach. Spiritual songs and arias from the “Gesangbuch Schemellis” - “Book of Songs” by G. Schemelli (21) and from the 2nd “Notenbuch” by Anna Magdalene Bach (10).
The German composer Johann Sebastian Bach created more than 1000 musical works. He lived in the Baroque era and in his work summarized everything that was characteristic of the music of his time. Bach wrote in all genres available in the 18th century, with the exception of opera. Today, the works of this master of polyphony and virtuoso organist are listened to in a variety of situations - they are so diverse. In his music one can find simple-minded humor and deep sorrow, philosophical reflections and acute drama.
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685, he was the eighth and most youngest child in family. The father of the great composer Johann Ambrosius Bach was also a musician: the Bach family has been known for its musicality since the beginning of the 16th century. At that time, music creators enjoyed special honor in Saxony and Thuringia, they were supported by the authorities, aristocrats and representatives of the church.
By the age of 10, Bach lost both his parents, and his older brother, who worked as an organist, took over his upbringing. Johann Sebastian studied at the gymnasium, and at the same time received from his brother the skills of playing the organ and clavier. At the age of 15, Bach entered a vocal school and began writing his first works. After leaving school, he briefly served as a court musician for the Duke of Weimar, and then became an organist in a church in the city of Arnstadt. It was then that the composer wrote a large number of organ works.
Soon, Bach began to have problems with the authorities: he expressed dissatisfaction with the level of training of the singers in the choir, and then went to another city for several months in order to get acquainted with the playing of the authoritative Danish-German organist Dietrich Buxtehude. Bach went to Mühlhausen, where he was invited to the same position - organist in the church. In 1707, the composer married his cousin, who bore him seven children, three of them died in infancy, and two later became famous composers.
Bach worked in Mühlhausen for only a year and moved to Weimar, where he became court organist and concert organizer. By this time he already enjoyed great recognition and received a high salary. It was in Weimar that the composer's talent reached its peak - he spent about 10 years continuously composing works for clavier, organ and orchestra.
By 1717, Bach had achieved all possible heights in Weimar and began to look for another place of work. At first his old employer did not want to let him go, and even put him under arrest for a month. However, Bach soon left him and headed to the city of Köthen. If earlier his music was largely composed for religious services, here, due to the special requirements of the employer, the composer began to write mainly secular works.
In 1720, Bach's wife suddenly died, but a year and a half later he married the young singer again.
In 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach became cantor of the choir at the Church of St. Thomas in Leipzig, and then was appointed “musical director” of all churches working in the city. Bach continued to write music until his death - even after losing his sight, he dictated it to his son-in-law. The great composer died in 1750, now his remains rest in the very Church of St. Thomas in Leipzig, where he worked for 27 years.
It remains to report on Anna Magdalena. She knew the bitterness of early old age. At first, the magistrate undoubtedly provided some assistance to Bach’s widow; receipts for her receipt of sums of money have been preserved. There is no reliable information about the relationship with the stepmother and mother of Bach’s sons after his death. Anna Magdalena, fifty-nine years old, died on Wednesday February 27, 1760 in Leipzig, on Heinenstrasse, apparently in a shelter for the poor.
Loving and caring wife for many years the cantor so often hastily prepared the notes for her Sebastian's next Sunday cantata! In a handwriting similar to that of her husband, having completed the last line, she wrote in large letters on the page the words that meant “the end” in Italian.
May this sign complete our story of life and short essay works of the great Bach:
A BRIEF LIST OF WORKS BY J. S. BACH
Vocal and instrumental works: about 300 sacred cantatas (199 preserved); 24 secular cantatas (including “Hunting”, “Coffee”, “Peasant”); motets, chorales; Christmas Oratorio; “John Passion”, “Matthew Passion”, “Magnificat”, Mass in B minor (“High Mass”), 4 short masses.
Arias and songs - from the second Music book Anna Magdalena Bach.
For orchestra and orchestra with solo instruments:
6 Brandenburg Concertos; 4 suites (“overtures”); 7 concertos for harpsichord (clavier) and orchestra; 3 concertos for two harpsichords and orchestra; 2 concertos for three harpsichords and orchestra; 1 concert for four harpsichords and orchestra; 3 concertos for violin and orchestra; concert for flute, violin and harpsichord.
Works for violin, cello, flute with clavier (harpsichord) and solo: 6 sonatas for violin and harpsichord; 6 sonatas for flute and harpsichord; 3 sonatas for viola da gamba (cello) and harpsichord; trio sonatas; 6 sonatas and partitas for solo violin; 6 suites (sonatas) for solo cello.
For clavier (harpsichord): 6 “English” suites; 6 “French” suites; 6 parts; Chromatic fantasy and fugue; Italian concert; Well-Tempered Clavier (2 volumes, 48 preludes and fugues); Goldberg Variations; Inventions for two and three voices; fantasies, fugues, toccatas, overtures, capriccios, etc.
For organ: 18 preludes and fugues; 5 toccatas and fugues; 3 fantasies and fugues; fugues; 6 concerts; Passacaglia; pastoral; fantasies, sonatas, canzones, trios; 46 chorale preludes (from Wilhelm Friedemann Bach's Organ Book); "Schubler chorales"; 18 chorales (“Leipzig”); several cycles of chorale variations.
Musical offering. The art of fugue.
MAIN LIFE DATES
1685, March 21 (Gregorian calendar March 31) Johann Sebastian Bach, the son of the city musician Johann Ambrose Bach, was born in the Thuringian city of Eisenach.
1693-1695 - Studying at school.
1694 - Death of mother, Elisabeth, née Lemmerhirt. Father's remarriage.
1695 - Death of father; moving to his elder brother Johann Christoph in Ohrdruf.
1696 - early 1700- Studying at the Ordruf Lyceum; singing and music lessons.
1700, March 15- Moving to Lüneburg, enrollment as a scholarship student (chanter) at the school of St. Michael.
1703, April- Moving to Weimar, service in the chapel of the Red Castle. August- Moving to Arnstadt; Bach is an organist and singing teacher.
1705-1706, October - February- Trip to Lubeck, studying the organ art of Dietrich Buxtehude. Conflict with the consistory of Arnstadt.
1707, June 15- Confirmation as organist in Mühlhausen. 17 October- Marriage to Maria Barbara Bach.
1708, spring- Publication of the first work, “Elective Cantata”. July- Moving to Weimar to serve as court organist of the Ducal Chapel.
1710, November 22- Birth of the first son, Wilhelm Friedemann (the future “Gallic Bach”).
1714, March 8- Birth of the second son, Carl Philipp Emmanuel (the future “Hamburg Bach”). Trip to Kassel.
1717, July- Bach accepts the offer of Prince Leopold of Köthen to become conductor of the court chapel.
September- A trip to Dresden, his success as a virtuoso.
October- Return to Weimar; resignation letter, by order of the Duke, arrest from November 6 to December 2. Transfer to Keteya. Trip to Leipzig.
1720, May- A trip with Prince Leopold to Carlsbad. Early July- Death of wife Maria Barbara.
1723, February 7- Performance of cantata No. 22 in Leipzig as a test for the position of cantor of the Thomaskirche. 26 March- First performance of the St. John Passion. May- Taking office as cantor of St. Thomas and the school teacher.
1729, February- Performing the “Hunting Cantata” in Weissenfels, receiving the title of court Kapellmeister of Saxe-Weissenfels. April 15- First performance of the St. Matthew Passion in the Thomaskirche. Disagreements with the Thomasshule council and then with the magistrate over school practices. Bach leads the Telemann student circle, Collegium musicum.
1730, October 28- A letter to a former school friend G. Erdmann describing the unbearable circumstances of life in Leipzig.
1732 - Performance of “Coffee Cantata”. 21st of June- Birth of the son Johann Christoph Friedrich (the future “Bückeburg Bach”).
1734, end of December- Performance of the “Christmas Oratorio”.
1735, June- Bach with his son Gottfried Bernhard in Mühlhausen. The son passes the test for the position of organist. September 5 the last son, Johann Christian (the future “London Bach”) was born.
1736 - Beginning of a two-year “struggle for the prefect” with the rector Tomashule I. Ernesti. November 19 A decree was signed in Dresden conferring the title of royal court composer on Bach. Friendship with the Russian ambassador G. Keyserling. December 1- A two-hour concert in Dresden on the Silbermann organ.
1738, April 28- “Night music” in Leipzig. Bach completes the composition of the High Mass.
1740 - Bach ceases to lead the “Music Collegium”.
1741 - In the summer, Bach visited his son Emmanuel in Berlin. Trip to Dresden.
1742 - Publication of the last, fourth volume of “Exercises for the Clavier”. August 30- Performance of “Peasant Cantata”.
1745 - Testing of a new organ in Dresden.
1746 - Son Wilhelm Friedemann becomes director of urban music in Halle. Bach's trip to Zshortau and Naumberg.
1749, January 20- Engagement of daughter Elisabeth to Bach's student Altnikol. The beginning of the essay "The Art of Fugue". In summer- Illness, blindness. Johann Friedirch enters the Bückeburg Chapel.
1750, January - Failed operations before our eyes, complete blindness. Composing counterpoints of “The Art of Fugue” and fugue on theme B-A-S-N. Completion of processing of chorales.
