Johann Sebastian Bach Timeline
Johann Sebastian Bach by People
Johann Sebastian Bach was a renowned German composer and musician who lived in the 18th century. He is best known for his complex compositions in Baroque style, including the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations. Bach's work has had a profound influence on Western music, with many later composers drawing inspiration from his innovative techniques and rich harmonies. Despite facing numerous personal tragedies, including the loss of his parents at a young age and the death of his first wife, Bach's dedication to his craft never wavered. Today, he is celebrated as one of the greatest composers in history.
March 31, 1685
Birth of Johann Sebastian Bach in Eisenach, Germany
This renowned composer was born into a family with a strong musical background. His birthplace, Eisenach, is a town located in the central German state of Thuringia. His birth marked the beginning of a life that would greatly influence the world of music.
May 1, 1695
Bach moves to Ohrdruf after the death of his parents
After the tragic loss of his parents, the young musician relocated to Ohrdruf. There, he lived with his older brother, Johann Christoph, who was an organist at St. Michael's Church. This move was significant as it was under his brother's guidance that he further developed his musical skills.
Year 1700
Bach enrolls in St. Michael's School in Lüneburg
At St. Michael's School, he was exposed to a wide range of European culture. This school had a large, well-known library, which allowed him to study many works of music. His time at this school significantly influenced his development as a composer.
August 1, 1703
Bach becomes the organist at the New Church in Arnstadt
At this time, he was only 18 years old, but his exceptional musical skills earned him this prestigious position. The New Church in Arnstadt, Germany, was known for its beautiful organ, which he played for four years. This role significantly influenced his future works.
October 17, 1707
Bach marries his first wife, Maria Barbara Bach
Maria Barbara Bach was not only his wife but also his second cousin. They got married in a small town in Germany called Dornheim. Together, they had seven children, some of whom also became notable musicians.
June 1, 1708
Bach becomes the court organist and chamber musician in Weimar
In this role, he was responsible for playing the organ and composing music for court events. This position allowed him to experiment with different musical styles and forms, which greatly influenced his later works. His time in Weimar is considered one of the most productive periods of his career.
August 1, 1717
Bach becomes Kapellmeister (director of music) at the court of Prince Leopold in Cöthen
In this role, he was responsible for composing and directing all the music for the prince's court. This position allowed him to focus on instrumental compositions, leading to some of his most famous works. His time in Cöthen was a highly productive period in his career.
July 7, 1720
Death of Bach's first wife, Maria Barbara Bach
Maria Barbara Bach, the first wife of the renowned composer, passed away unexpectedly while he was traveling with Prince Leopold. The cause of her death remains unknown. The couple had seven children together, two of whom became notable composers themselves.
December 3, 1721
Bach marries his second wife, Anna Magdalena Wilcken
Anna Magdalena Wilcken was considerably younger than the composer, being only 20 years old at the time of their marriage. She was a gifted singer and the daughter of a court trumpeter. Their marriage produced 13 children, some of whom became significant musicians in their own right.
May 31, 1723
Bach becomes the Cantor of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig
Assuming the role of Cantor at St. Thomas Church, he was responsible for the music in four of Leipzig's main churches. This position, which he held until his death in 1750, allowed him to compose many of his most famous works. His duties also included teaching music to students at the St. Thomas School.
April 1, 1729
Bach becomes the director of the Collegium Musicum in Leipzig
The Collegium Musicum was a group of student musicians and townspeople who performed regularly in Leipzig. As director, he led the ensemble in weekly performances at Zimmermann's coffee house. This position allowed him to experiment with different musical styles and compositions.
May 7, 1747
Bach visits the court of Frederick the Great in Potsdam
During this visit, the renowned king of Prussia challenged the composer to improvise a three-part fugue on a theme he provided. This resulted in Bach's "Musical Offering", a collection of canons and fugues all based on a single musical theme. It is considered one of his most important works.
July 28, 1749
Bach completes his final work, 'Before Your Throne I Now Appear'
This composition, also known as 'Vor deinen Thron tret' ich hiermit,' is a chorale, a type of hymn sung by a choir. It is believed to have been dictated from his deathbed, demonstrating his dedication to music until the very end. The piece is a poignant reflection of his faith and his musical genius.
July 28, 1750
Death of Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig, Germany
The renowned composer passed away in Leipzig, a city where he spent a significant part of his life. His death marked the end of the Baroque period in music. His contributions to music, particularly his innovative compositions and techniques, continue to influence musicians and composers even today.
July 28, 1750
Bach undergoes unsuccessful eye surgery
The operation was performed by John Taylor, a British surgeon who was infamous for his unsuccessful eye surgeries. This surgery led to Bach's complete loss of sight, and his health deteriorated rapidly afterwards. He passed away less than a year later.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a renowned German composer and musician who lived in the 18th century. He is best known for his complex compositions in Baroque style, including the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations. Bach's work has had a profound influence on Western music, with many later composers drawing inspiration from his innovative techniques and rich harmonies. Despite facing numerous personal tragedies, including the loss of his parents at a young age and the death of his first wife, Bach's dedication to his craft never wavered. Today, he is celebrated as one of the greatest composers in history.
This renowned composer was born into a family with a strong musical background. His birthplace, Eisenach, is a town located in the central German state of Thuringia. His birth marked the beginning of a life that would greatly influence the world of music.
After the tragic loss of his parents, the young musician relocated to Ohrdruf. There, he lived with his older brother, Johann Christoph, who was an organist at St. Michael's Church. This move was significant as it was under his brother's guidance that he further developed his musical skills.
At St. Michael's School, he was exposed to a wide range of European culture. This school had a large, well-known library, which allowed him to study many works of music. His time at this school significantly influenced his development as a composer.
At this time, he was only 18 years old, but his exceptional musical skills earned him this prestigious position. The New Church in Arnstadt, Germany, was known for its beautiful organ, which he played for four years. This role significantly influenced his future works.
Maria Barbara Bach was not only his wife but also his second cousin. They got married in a small town in Germany called Dornheim. Together, they had seven children, some of whom also became notable musicians.
In this role, he was responsible for playing the organ and composing music for court events. This position allowed him to experiment with different musical styles and forms, which greatly influenced his later works. His time in Weimar is considered one of the most productive periods of his career.
In this role, he was responsible for composing and directing all the music for the prince's court. This position allowed him to focus on instrumental compositions, leading to some of his most famous works. His time in Cöthen was a highly productive period in his career.
Maria Barbara Bach, the first wife of the renowned composer, passed away unexpectedly while he was traveling with Prince Leopold. The cause of her death remains unknown. The couple had seven children together, two of whom became notable composers themselves.
Anna Magdalena Wilcken was considerably younger than the composer, being only 20 years old at the time of their marriage. She was a gifted singer and the daughter of a court trumpeter. Their marriage produced 13 children, some of whom became significant musicians in their own right.
Assuming the role of Cantor at St. Thomas Church, he was responsible for the music in four of Leipzig's main churches. This position, which he held until his death in 1750, allowed him to compose many of his most famous works. His duties also included teaching music to students at the St. Thomas School.
The Collegium Musicum was a group of student musicians and townspeople who performed regularly in Leipzig. As director, he led the ensemble in weekly performances at Zimmermann's coffee house. This position allowed him to experiment with different musical styles and compositions.
During this visit, the renowned king of Prussia challenged the composer to improvise a three-part fugue on a theme he provided. This resulted in Bach's "Musical Offering", a collection of canons and fugues all based on a single musical theme. It is considered one of his most important works.
This composition, also known as 'Vor deinen Thron tret' ich hiermit,' is a chorale, a type of hymn sung by a choir. It is believed to have been dictated from his deathbed, demonstrating his dedication to music until the very end. The piece is a poignant reflection of his faith and his musical genius.
The renowned composer passed away in Leipzig, a city where he spent a significant part of his life. His death marked the end of the Baroque period in music. His contributions to music, particularly his innovative compositions and techniques, continue to influence musicians and composers even today.
The operation was performed by John Taylor, a British surgeon who was infamous for his unsuccessful eye surgeries. This surgery led to Bach's complete loss of sight, and his health deteriorated rapidly afterwards. He passed away less than a year later.