MUS111 - Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach

Wrote in every form except opera, deeply religious (Lutheran), and recognized for his technical mastery, one of the greatest Baroque composers (known as an organist), father was a musician—meaning that this was a family trade (being a musician). Mother and father died fairly early, so he received his music education from brothers and uncles.

Germany

Important center for music. Shifted from Italy to Germany around Bach’s time.

Musical director for Prince Leopold of Cothen

This post (1717) allowed Bach to compose mainly instrumental music. During these years, Bach began work on the Well Tempered Clavier for keyboard.

The Concerto Grosso (Big Concerto)

For small group of soloists and orchestra, multi-movement work, usually 3 movements.

The Brandenburg Concertos (1715-1721)

Composed for margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg. Each of the six Brandenburg Concertos calls for a different group of soloists.

Brandenburg Concerto, No. 5 D major

Example of concerto grosso composed by J.S. Bach (1719). Solo group included the violin, flute, and harpsichord.

St. Thomas Church, Leipzig

Bach appointed director of music of St. Thomas Church in 1723. Bach directed the music education at St. Thomas school.

Lutheran

95 demands were nailed to the church. One request was that the church service be conducted not in Latin, but in the local native language. Martin Luther established that music be played during church services to enhance the ceremony

Equal Temperment

Finalized by Bach. Made it such that other groups of instruments can play with each other. (Ex: cello can play a broader range of notes than trumpet due to the length of the string affecting pitch rather than the fixed valves of the trumpet). Equalized the distance between notes—could jump between chords as often as desired