Johann Sebastian Bach Research Paper

The Effect of Johann Sebastian Bach

Without a doubt, we have established that Johann Sebastian Bach was an incredible composer who contributed greatly to the development of music and strongly influences music even today. Christopher Wolff says in his book about the Bach family, “Johann Sebastian Bach is the most important member of the family. His genius combined outstanding performing musicianship with creative powers in which forceful original inventiveness and intellectual control are perfectly balanced.”1 However, in order to be right, you must provide proof. Otherwise, for what reason should this research paper exist? In these next several pages, we will explore who Bach was as a person, through the record of his life and his music. We

(Fittingly,) Sebastian was born in Eisenach on March 21, 1685 as the youngest child to complete the eight children of Johann Ambrosius and Maria Elizabeth Lämmerhirt. It is speculated that he attended a school named Lateinschule, and entered at the age of seven in the spring of 1692. His music education is assumed to have begun with the counsel of his father on the methods of stringed instruments. His mother died shortly after Sebastian entered school, and was buried May 3rd, 1694 when he was age 9. His father remarried, but died not long after in February of the following year. Sebastian was sent to live with the eldest of the Ambrosius family, Johann Christoph, who gave Sebastian his first lessons on the organ. When Christoph could no longer provide the room that his youngest brother needed, Sebastian left for Lüneburg to attend school at Michaelisschule, a school for commoners. He joined the choir and was “welcomed for his unusually fine voice; but it soon broke, and for eight days he spoke and sang in octaves.” Here is where he also came into contact with Georg Böhm, the organist, who had a significant influence on

Despite Bach’s further experience as a Kapellmeister than a Kantor, Leipzig councilors saw him as the best choice. The responsibilities and work load at Leipzig were heavier and varied compared to the expectations of Bach’s positions previous to this one. During his time here is where we see a sharp increase in the number of his pieces being composed. Due to the importance of cantatas in Lutheran church service, Bach composed many cantatas. Between responsibilities at the university and for the church services, he had more than a full work load. He remained in Leipzig until his death on July 28, 1750.

John Elliot Gardiner, in his book Music in the Castle of Heaven, he discourages looking at Bach and his life as “sanitized”. Gardiner points out the overlooked atmosphere which Bach was submerged into during his education. Documents describe the pupils of Eisenach to be disruptive and rowdy, and stories of student brutality was not uncommon.

During Bach’s lifetime, his original works stayed together fairly well, but after he died, they were divided amongst his sons, and many items were lost. However, his pupils owned copies, which had aided in preserving Bach’s