Johann Sebastian Bach, born on March 31, 1685, in Eisenach, Germany, is revered as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. His extensive catalog of compositions showcases an extraordinary understanding and inventiveness within baroque music, which has remained influential for over 300 years. Bach hailed from an extensive family of musicians and developed his skills early on, eventually becoming renowned for his proficiency as an organist.

Over the course of his life, Bach held various musical positions, such as Konzertmeister (concertmaster) and Kantor (music director) at different churches and courts. Notably, he spent much of his career in Leipzig, where he worked at the Thomasschule and St. Thomas Church. He produced a vast body of work comprising religious compositions, keyboard music, orchestral and chamber pieces—many of which exhibit his trademark complex counterpoint and rich harmonic textures. Bach’s iconic works include "The Well-Tempered Clavier," "Brandenburg Concertos," and "Mass in B minor." Although his genius was not fully appreciated until after his death in 1750, Bach's music has since attained universal acclaim, influencing countless composers and musicians and continuing to be performed and recorded prolifically to this day.

Recent releases of Bach's works, such as "A Classical Occasion: Vol. II" and his organ work in "Bach Fragments: Organ Works Completed by Lorenzo Ghielmi," showcase the timeless nature of his compositions and their perpetual reinterpretation by modern artists. From grand orchestral performances by groups like the Academy of St Martin in the Fields to more intimate treatments, such as the "Prelude in B Minor, BWV 855a" transcribed by Alexander Siloti, Bach's musical legacy remains vibrant, capturing the hearts of classical enthusiasts around the globe.

Genres

Baroque

Classical

Early Music

German Baroque

Related Artists

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

George Frideric Handel

Ludwig van Beethoven

Claude Debussy

Antonio Vivaldi

Franz Schubert

Johannes Brahms

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Philip Glass

Maurice Ravel

Jean-Philippe Rameau

Henry Purcell

Latest Release

Bach: Sonatas for Violin and Organ, BWV 1014 - 1019

Johann Sebastian Bach•

Marie-Claire Alain

Album - 25 Tracks - Released November 20, 2024