German composer, organist, violinist and violist, primarily valued as an organist and a teacher, as his music was appreciated for its pedagogical qualities. In later years, he was regarded as one of the greatest composers of all times. Bach was a prolific composer. Among a great number of masterpieces, the ones which stand out are the "Brandenburg Concerts", "Well Tempered Clavier", "St Mathew Passion", "Goldberg Variations", "Six Cello Suites" and "Concerto for Two Violins".
Bach was born into an extensive musical family, with many of his relatives from previous generations being eminent professional musicians. The musical talent spanning over almost 7 generations of the Bach family, has provoked some questioning on whether the talent is passed on from parent to child and has stimulated some research studies on this question. As both Bach's parents died when he was 10, he was then looked after by his eldest brother, Johann Cristoph, an organist who had been a pupil of the influential composer Johann Pachelbel, and gave Bach his first keyboard lessons. From the outset of his career, he was a court organist and member of the orchestra , writing many church cantatas and some of his best compositions for the organ.
Bach was a devoutly religious man, his life and creations are deeply rooted in the spirit of the old Lutheran church. According to British conductor John Eliot Gardiner, who delved into Bach's life, "He had normal flaws and failings, which make him very approachable, but he had this unfathomably brilliant mind and a capacity to hear music and then to deliver music that is beyond the capacity of pretty well any musician before or since." And Gardiner continues, "Despite Bach's contradictions, the composer would have been a great guy to hang out with". Bach was also very argumentative with employers who did not appreciate his talent, to such an extent that he once ended up in jail.
He married his wife Maria Barbara at 22 years. Following her death, 13 years later, he remarried Anna Magdalena. In total, he had 20 children although only a few of them survived to adulthood.
Musically, Bach was a master at invoking different emotions, and as a passionate storyteller he used his music to suggest actions or events. His music has many simple motor-like rhythms and is very harmonious. As the famous cello performer Yo-Yo Ma has said "Bach’s world is unfailingly beautiful sound and graceful melody". However, Bach's greatness was recognised after his death, as during his lifetime he was overshadowed by other composers.
In later life, he went increasingly blind and underwent two eye surgeries. Bach died from complications from these surgeries.
"Bach double"
(Double Violin Concerto / Movements 1 and 2)
"River of hope"
(Cello Suite 1)
"Brandenburg concert no 3"
"A new future"
(Organ Sonata No 4 BWV 528)
"Goldberg variations"
(No 1 Aria)
"Air on the G string"
