Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) was a great German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist. He enriched prevailing German music with a robust contrapuntal style and the adaptation of techniques from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. His sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments constitute a monumental achievement in the history of music.
Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, but he was not widely recognized as a great composer until the late eighteenth and first half of the nineteenth century. Beethoven described him as the "Urvater der Harmonie" ("original father of harmony").
Revered for their intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty, Bach's works include:
- The Brandenburg Concertos
- The Goldberg Variations (keyboard)
- The Partitas (for keyboard)
- The Well-Tempered Clavier (keyboard)
- The Mass in B Minor (choral)
- The Saint Matthew Passion (choral)
- The Saint John Passion (choral)
- The Magnificat (choral)
- The Musical Offering
- The English Suites (keyboard)
- The French Suites (keyboard)
- The Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin
- The Cello Suites
- The Cantatas
- The Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (organ)
- Toccata in E minor BWV 914 Fuga
- The Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor (organ) Tutorial beginning part
- The Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes (organ)
- The Organ Mass (organ)
The music of Johann Sebastian Bach is one of humanity's greatest treasures. It is unsurpassed in its expression of profound reverence for life, and in its depth and diversity of ideas and feelings. It provides boundless joy to listeners and performers.
