Johann Sebastian Bach

Biography

One of the best-known composers of all time, Johann Sebastian Bach’s contribution to the world of music was second to none in the baroque period. Bach came from a family of musicians, and was born the youngest child of a performer in the German city of Eisenach. He was orphaned at the age of 10 and lived with his elder brother until starting work as a musician in protestant churches in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen and at courts in Weimar and Köthen. From 1723 he lived and worked in Leipzig, first as a choirmaster and later as chief court composer.

It was in Leipzig that most of Bach’s works were composed, which were great in number and written in a huge variety of genres and instrumentations. He wrote hundreds of cantatas, both sacred and secular, a large amount of church music, hymns, pieces for organ and other keyboard instruments, concertos, instrumental suites, and orchestral work. Bach’s music is known for its meticulous construction and use of counterpoint, often employing fugue.