Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 –1750) German Organ virtuoso 1717: Named Kapellmeister of the Court Cothen Not famous or recognized in his day - Was an acclaimed keyboard player & improviser - At the time his music was thought to be too heavy, complex, and too reliant on polyphony

While working for the Court he composed mostly instrumental compositions Methodical and symmetrical Elaborated on single music ideas –Insistent rhythmic drive Technical master with emotional depth Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 –1750)

The Baroque Suite Set of dances from different regions and of different styles Meant to be listened to, not danced to… why? Most famous are the cello suites: –Overture or Prelude: Completely unrelated non-dance material played at the beginning of the Suite –Allemande: Stately, German dance –Courante: A lively French dance in triple meter –Sarabande: A slow Spanish dance –Variants: would choose a dance (or two) that would vary from piece to piece –Gigue: A fast English dance, originating from the ‘Jig’

Other instrumental works: Violin Solos (Sonatas & Partitas) - Like the Cello Suites, but without the required dance movements Brandenburg Concertos - Concertos Grosso Keyboard Music: - Well-Tempered Clavier - Organ solos Toccata and Fugue in D Minor most famous – toccata is written in an improvisational style Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 –1750)

After serving as Kappelmeister, Bach held the position of Music Director at Leipzig – Responsible for music at 4 principal churches From this point he composed mostly cantatas – Vocal work for Lutheran service, in vernacular – New Cantata for each specific service – Similar in structure and instrumentation to oratorio, but much shorter, and not narrative Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 –1750)

Large Scale Vocal Works