Composer · 1685 – 1750
Johann Sebastian Bach
Key Takeaways
- Bach perfected Baroque counterpoint and harmony.
- His Brandenburg Concertos and Mass in B minor are pillars of the repertoire.
- He composed prolifically across nearly every form except opera.
- His reputation rose enormously in the 19th-century revival of his music.
Johann Sebastian Bach stands at the summit of the Baroque era, a composer whose mastery of harmony and counterpoint has never been surpassed. In his hands the fugue and the chorale became vehicles of extraordinary intellectual and spiritual power.
A working musician
Bach spent his life as a church organist and music director, most famously at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Composing was part of his weekly duty, and he poured out cantatas, motets, and organ works at a remarkable pace. Among his instrumental triumphs are the six Brandenburg Concertos, dazzling showcases of the Baroque orchestra.
Sacred summits
Bach’s faith infused his greatest works, including the St Matthew Passion and the monumental Mass in B minor. His Well-Tempered Clavier, a cycle of preludes and fugues in every key, became a cornerstone of keyboard music treasured by later pianists such as Frédéric Chopin.
Legacy
Though celebrated in his day mainly as an organist, Bach was rediscovered in the nineteenth century as one of the supreme composers in history. His counterpoint became the foundation of Western music theory, studied and revered by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and countless others.
Influence
Bach's command of harmony and counterpoint became a foundation of Western music theory and composition, studied and revered by virtually every major composer who followed.
Legacy
Though more famous as an organist in his day, Bach is now ranked among the supreme composers in the history of music.
Major Works
- Brandenburg Concertos
- Mass in B minor
- The Well-Tempered Clavier
- St Matthew Passion
Controversies
- His intricate, learned style was regarded by some contemporaries as old-fashioned compared with newer tastes.
Connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Johann Sebastian Bach?
J. S. Bach (1685–1750) was a German Baroque composer renowned for his mastery of counterpoint in works like the Brandenburg Concertos and the Mass in B minor.
What is Bach best known for?
He is best known for his contrapuntal mastery in fugues, the Brandenburg Concertos, the Well-Tempered Clavier, and major sacred works such as the Mass in B minor.
Citations & Sources
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