1. The Life of Johann Sebastian Bach By Nancy Johnson, 2007

2. Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Germany in 1685 and became one of the greatest composers of all time. Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Germany in 1685 and became one of the greatest composers of all time.

3. Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany. His father, Johann, was a city musician. His mother also grew up in a musical family. Johann Sebastian was born as their eighth child on March 21, 1685. Bach’s parents had both died by the time Bach was 10 years old. Eisenach 1685-1695

4. Johann Sebastian and his brother Johann Jacob lived with their oldest brother, another Johann, from 1695-1700. Johann Christoph was organist at St. Michael’s Church in Ohrdruf. Johann Sebastian and his brother Johann Jacob lived with their oldest brother, another Johann, from 1695-1700. Johann Christoph was organist at St. Michael’s Church in Ohrdruf. Ohrdruf 1695-1700

5. Lüneburg 1700-1702 Bach spent the next two years in Lüneburg where he could attend the Latin school and pay his way by singing in the choir of St. Michael's Church. By the time Bach left Lüneburg at age 17, he was already known as an organ virtuoso. Lüneburg 1700-1702 Bach spent the next two years in Lüneburg where he could attend the Latin school and pay his way by singing in the choir of St. Michael's Church. By the time Bach left Lüneburg at age 17, he was already known as an organ virtuoso.

6. Bach was next hired as a servant and violinist in the private chapel of Duke Johann Ernst of Saxony-Weimar from March to August of 1703. What Bach did between leaving Lüneburg in 1702 and his short job in Weimar is not known. Weimar 1703

7. In August 1703 Bach was appointed organist of the Neue Kirche in Arnstadt. His time in Arnstadt was not entirely successful. He was obsessed with the organ and refused to spend time practicing with the boys of the church's choir. He got into trouble and even had a street fight with a bassoon player when Bach said he sounded like a nanny-goat. In August 1703 Bach was appointed organist of the Neue Kirche in Arnstadt. His time in Arnstadt was not entirely successful. He was obsessed with the organ and refused to spend time practicing with the boys of the church's choir. He got into trouble and even had a street fight with a bassoon player when Bach said he sounded like a nanny-goat. Arnstadt 1703-1707

8. Later in 1705 Bach was given a four week leave of absence to work with the great organist Dietrich Buxtehude. Bach walked the 200 miles to Lübeck, but didn’t return for several months. His employers were not happy with him. Bach resigned and moved in 1707. Lübeck trip 1705

9. Bach was hired as an organist in Mühlhausen in June of 1707. This job was better for Bach. He even had enough money to get married after receiving a small inheritance from his uncle. He “outgrew” this job in just one year because his reputation as an organ virtuoso and composer was growing so fast. One of his major organ works from this period is the famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. To watch a performance, click below: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=55121 17408808532512 Bach was hired as an organist in Mühlhausen in June of 1707. This job was better for Bach. He even had enough money to get married after receiving a small inheritance from his uncle. He “outgrew” this job in just one year because his reputation as an organ virtuoso and composer was growing so fast. One of his major organ works from this period is the famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. To watch a performance, click below: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=55121 17408808532512 Mühlhausen 1707-1708

10. Returning to Weimar at the age of 23 was a big step for Bach. His salary doubled and his first child, Catharina, was born. The job ended in a rather dramatic way when he got caught in a feud between the Weimar dukes. Luckily, Bach had made a great impression on Prince Leopold with his wedding music for Leopold's sister. Bach was offered a job by Leopold, but the Duke refused to let Bach go. He was even arrested and put in prison for a month (Nov. 6 – Dec. 2) before being dismissed "without honor". Returning to Weimar at the age of 23 was a big step for Bach. His salary doubled and his first child, Catharina, was born. The job ended in a rather dramatic way when he got caught in a feud between the Weimar dukes. Luckily, Bach had made a great impression on Prince Leopold with his wedding music for Leopold's sister. Bach was offered a job by Leopold, but the Duke refused to let Bach go. He was even arrested and put in prison for a month (Nov. 6 – Dec. 2) before being dismissed "without honor". Weimar 1708-1717

11. Bach began his job as Leopold’s Director of Music in December 1717. He had a lot of freedom and "dearly loved" the Prince. Bach wrote a lot of chamber music while in Köthen. Unfortunately, his wife Maria Barbara died in 1720 while Bach was away on business, leaving behind their four children, ages 12, 10, 6 and 5. Three other children had died in infancy. Bach married Anna Magdalena on December 3, 1721. Bach left Köthen in 1723 because his sons needed a better education and the musical climate was declining. Some of his most famous works of this period are the six Brandenburg Concertos, finished in March 1721. You are listening to No. 5. Bach began his job as Leopold’s Director of Music in December 1717. He had a lot of freedom and "dearly loved" the Prince. Bach wrote a lot of chamber music while in Köthen. Unfortunately, his wife Maria Barbara died in 1720 while Bach was away on business, leaving behind their four children, ages 12, 10, 6 and 5. Three other children had died in infancy. Bach married Anna Magdalena on December 3, 1721. Bach left Köthen in 1723 because his sons needed a better education and the musical climate was declining. Some of his most famous works of this period are the six Brandenburg Concertos, finished in March 1721. You are listening to No. 5. Köthen 1717-1723

12. Bach spent the rest of his life in Leipzig at the St. Thomas School where he supplied music for the four major churches each Sunday and on holidays. He and his second wife had thirteen children between 1723 and 1742, but only five lived beyond the age of five. Bach was not completely happy with his job here either. He was expected to teach Latin and didn’t want to. He had to pay someone else to teach it for him. Near the end of his life he developed cataracts in his eyes and became blind. He died on July 28, 1750. Leipzig 1723-1750

13. St. Thomas Church--Leipzig Bach’s Grave (inside the church)

14. Bach Statue-Leipzig Bach’s Monogram

15. Bach wrote music for all of the following: Bassoon, Cello, Choir, Clavier, Cornett, Double Bass, English Horn, Flute, French Horn, Harpsichord, Lute, Music Box, Oboe, Orchestra, Organ, Recorder, Timpani, Trombone, Trumpet, Viola, Violin, and Voice.

16. Bach Facts: The Bach family was prominent in the music world for over 300 years (from 1560-1871.) During this time, over 60 Bachs made their living from music as town musicians, organists, music copyists, choir masters, and composers. Bach was an expert at writing a form of music called a fugue. He was known as an amazing organist, but difficult to get along with. Bach wrote over 1100 pieces of music, but little of it was published while he was alive. It wasn’t until almost 75 years after he died that people began to recognize how great Bach was. Three Bach pieces were launched into space in 1977 on the Voyager spacecraft.

17. Resources: Books Lives of the Musicians by Kathleen Krull Oxford First Companion to Music, edited by Kenneth & Valerie McLeish CD JS Bach Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 2, 3, 5 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Websites http://paulmccain.worldmagblog.com/paulmccain/bachoutside.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Bachkirche_Ar nstadt.JPG/268px-Bachkirche_Arnstadt.JPG http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/programmes/images/lubeck2.jpg http://www.jsbach.net/images/portraits.html http://www.jsbach.org/ http://www.let.rug.nl/Linguistics/diversen/bach/eisenach.html http://www.pmlmusic.com/tour_304/bach_tomb.html http://www.urtexteditions.com/images/BUXTEHUDE.jpg