Podcast
Questions and Answers
In what year did Bach become the Director of Collegium Musicum?
In what year did Bach become the Director of Collegium Musicum?
How many children did Bach have in total with both of his wives?
How many children did Bach have in total with both of his wives?
Who brought Bach's music to wider public attention after his death?
Who brought Bach's music to wider public attention after his death?
What instrument did Bach's older brother play, which likely influenced Bach's early musical training?
What instrument did Bach's older brother play, which likely influenced Bach's early musical training?
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What was Bach's role at the court of Prince Leopold?
What was Bach's role at the court of Prince Leopold?
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In what city did Bach spend the last 27 years of his life?
In what city did Bach spend the last 27 years of his life?
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When did Bach's first wife, Maria, pass away?
When did Bach's first wife, Maria, pass away?
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How many years after Bach's death was the St. Matthew Passion rediscovered and performed by Mendelssohn?
How many years after Bach's death was the St. Matthew Passion rediscovered and performed by Mendelssohn?
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Which composer, born earlier than Bach, influenced his musical style?
Which composer, born earlier than Bach, influenced his musical style?
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In what city was Bach born?
In what city was Bach born?
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Study Notes
Johann Sebastian Bach
- Born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685, into a musical family
- Father was a town musician
- Youngest of eight children
- Age 10, lived with older brother who was organist
- Likely taught organ by brother
- Age 18, became a low-level court musician, playing violin and organ
- Age 32, became chapel master for Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen
- Married cousin Maria in 1707
- Had seven children with Maria
- 1721, married Anna Wilcke after first wife died
- Had 13 children with Anna
- In 1723, became a teacher/director at St. Thomas's Church in Leipzig
- Later became Director of Collegium Musicum in Leipzig (performing concerts in coffee houses)
- Died in 1750, aged 65 of stroke, buried at St. Thomas's Church
- Bach was considered an ordinary musician during his time, and his music wasn't widely appreciated until 1829 when composer Felix Mendelssohn performed Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion
Bach's Influences
- Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643), Italian composer. Bach studied Frescobaldi's collections of organ music
- Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), German composer, Bach's teacher and brother's teacher, also developed organ music
Bach's Family
- Had a large family, fathered 20 children
- Called five of his sons Johann, and two Johanna.
- Several sons became musicians.
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Description
Explore the life of Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the most significant composers in Western classical music. This quiz covers his early years, career milestones, personal life, and the influential composers that shaped his music. Test your knowledge on Bach's legacy and historical context.
