Download Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach
Life and Compositions
Johann Sebastian Bach
Life
Born: March 21, 1685 in
Eisenach, Germany
Life
♫
♫
♫
Born into a family full of musical talent
Father- violin and trumpet
Brother- organist and composer
Uncles- professional musicans
Instruments
Bach mastered the following instruments:
Violin
Harpsichord
Organ
Studies
•Theology
•Latin
•History
•Italian
•Geography
•French
Influence
Bach was influenced by a variety of
composers:
•Jean-Babtiste Lully
•Johann Pachelbel
•Marias
•Antonio Vivaldi
Influence
Bach influenced a variety of
composers:
•Ludwig van Beethoven
•Frederic Chopin
•Sergei Prokofiev
Baroque Era
•
•
•
•
European style of classical music
“Misshapen pearl”
Elaborate musical ornamentation
Bach’s death marked the end of this
era
Compositional Language
• Studied Vivaldi
• Performed music of English, French
and Italian composers
• Worked as a Cantor
• Taught his own children and wife
Antonio Vivaldi
Family
•Maria Barbara, first wife
•Seven children with Maria
•After Maria died, Bach married Anna
Magdalena
•Anna was inspiration for the
“Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach”
•Thirteen children with Anna
•Bach fathered a total of 20 children
Life
• Died: July 28, 1750 in
Leipzig Germany
• Buried at St. Thomas’
Church
Compositions (1 of 3)
• Bach wrote over 1,100 music
compositions in all genres
• 224 cantatas still exist
• Genres include: voice, violin, flute,
orchestra music, keyboard, organ,
cello and orchestral music
Composition (2 of 3)
“Das Wohltemperierte Clavier”
• English translation: The Well Tempered Piano
• Written in 1722
• Collection of solo keyboard music
• Originated in Kothen
Composition (3 of 3)
• Short and unique octaves and melodies consisting of
a broad range of musical notes and tunes
• Funded by the young prince, Leopold
• Original by Bach cannot be heard
• Recorded by numerous artists and is readily available
to listen
Listening Guide
Song: Ave Maria
• Piano begins slowly and increases in tempo
• 1:01 Tempo slows down
Listening Guide
Song: Air on a G String
Very soft texture
Continual repeat of the chorus
1:44 Deeper pitch and tempo slows down