Bach, Johann Sebastian

Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750), German composer.

Johann Sebastian Bach's father and grandfather were both musicians and so were many of his relatives.

At the age of nine he became an orphan, and went to live with his oldest brother.

His brother taught him to play the clavichord and the harpsichord.

At this time churches in Europe had paid choirs, and, at the age of fifteen, Sebastian left home to earn his living as a choir-boy.

He was keen to learn all he could about music and walked 250 km to Hamburg to hear a famous organist play there.

His first important post was as Court Musician to the Duke of Weimar. After that he held many posts as court musician or organist and choir-master in churches.

People said he was the best organist in the world.

He composed many different kinds of music but this was not published until long after his death.

Now people realize that Bach was one of the greatest composers in history.

He married twice and had twenty children, and four of his sons became famous musicians.

See jo MANTON Portrait of Bach