By Taelyr Stevenson

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Birthdate: March 21, 1685.

Birth place: El Senach in Thuringial, Germany,

By the age of nine, Johann had lost 2 siblings and his

parents from disease.

BACH’S YOUTH

Johann Sebastian Bach was very well educated

He attended some of the most progressive schools

in Germany.

Gymnasium: The grammar school of

Ohdurf.

St. Michaels school located in Luneburg,

Germany.

SCHOOL

Came from a musically inclined family

Employed as a choir boy

Accepted to St. Michaels because of his amazing soprano

voice

Able to play at Court Of Celle

MUSICAL BACKGROUND

Organist at a local church in Arnstadt

Member of the chamber orchestra & Organist to the

court under the Duke of Sachsen Weimar.

Cantor in Leipzig

EMPLOYMENT

BACH’S FAMILY

October 17, 1707: Johann married his second cousin

Maria Barbara

They had 4 beautiful children together.

1720: Maria passed away

1721: Remarried to Anna Magdalena.

They were married for 28 years

They had 13 children.

BACH’S FAMILY CONT.

Studied all types of music

He wasn’t afraid for his music to be different

Dedicated time to travel to get inspiration from

others

o 1705: Bach traveled to Lubeck to watch Dietrich Buxtehude; a phenomenal

organist

THE GROWTH OF BACH'S MUSIC

As a musician, Bach spent countless hours of his life looking at pieces of music in poor lighting.

1749: Bach at the age of 64, lost his eye site.

1750: Bach had two eye surgeries by

ophthalmologist John Taylor

THE SURGERY

July 28th

1750

In the morning:Bach woke and was able to see

again.

In the evening:Bach had a

stroke due to a high fever, and

passed away.

Considered one of Bach's most famous pieces magnificent sounds

dramatic effect inspirational rhythm

Time Frame: 1703-1708

The only copy of this piece that we have is a copy made from one of his students, Johann Rinkg

TOCCATA & FUGUE

Walt Disney’s classic

Fantasia

The godfather

Se7en

The Silence of the Lambs

Toccata & fugue was originally

wrote for a string instrument.

“Toccata” means to touch

Fugue is a technique

characterized of overlapping

repetition of a principal theme

in different melodic lines.

Movies this song appeared in:

Interesting Facts:

TOCCATA & FUGUE

Played in D minor

Conjunct melody

Triple Meter

Timbre is clear & concise

Repetition & contrast

Texture

Mixture of Legato &

staccato notes

Dynamics: mezzo

Listening guide

TOCCATA & FUGUE CONT.

A composer and musician during the

baroque period.

First composer to write in all 24 minor

and major keys.

Had magnificent Form, Phrasing, &

Texture.

Amazing with composing Fugues.

THE FATHER OF MUSIC

“MUSIC IS AN AGREEABLE HARMONY FOR THE HONOR OF

GOD AND THE PERMISSIBLE DELIGHTS OF THE SOUL.”

-Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web.

"Johann Sebastian Bach: A Detailed Informative Biography." Johann Sebastian

Bach: A Detailed Informative Biography. N.p., n.d. Web.

Williams, Peter. J.S. Bach: A Life in Music. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2007. Print.

"Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 (work by Bach)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web.

BIBLIOGRAPHY