Johann Sebastian Bach..

Johann Sebastian Bach at Eisenach, right next to the Bach House and the Bach Museum. Whether it is about the

short biography, the biography, about facts or his life: You won't miss out on any exciting photos on this Bach website ... not in a single section. Bach was born in Eisenach..

Johann Sebastian Bach: Facts, Short Biography, Video Biography, Life Story..

The next place in Johann Sebastian Bach's life: Ohrdruf. Even two monuments remind us of his time there. One is about a famous tribute of composer Ludwig van Beethoven to Bach. The other Bach monument reminds of the whole Ohrdruf branch of the Bach Family of Musicians and is located in the city park. In the life of Johann Sebastian Bach the city of Lüneburg in Northern Germany is next, but there ... is (... still) no monument for and of Johann Sebastian Bach..

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Whatever interests you about Johann Sebastian Bach … you’ve come to the right place. If you’re interested in a short biography about Johann Sebastian Bach – or an even shorter one, or even an ultra-short biography – then you can start reading right away. Here at Bach on Bach, you’ll always be spoiled for choice with just a few clicks. After all, we’re not even “done” yet with the three short biographies on Johann Sebastian Bach mentioned above. In addition to those, there’s a biography that’s surely the shortest one on Johann Sebastian Bach. And a biography in the form of a mini-video. Why is that? Well, perhaps because you’d like to get an overview very quickly. Or – alternatively – because you’d like it to be a little more than just a few lines..

Perhaps you prefer questions and answers: In that case, the Johann Sebastian Bach FAQs are perfect for you. Are you in the mood for an hour of reading right now? Or would you rather spend an entire weekend with Johann Sebastian Bach? My website has the perfect recommendation for practically any reading session. There’s even the right support for kids’ homework: Facts, facts, facts provide a concise overview of Johann Sebastian Bach ... right to the point, so to speak. Bach in five minutes … now that’s something different..

Bach Cities and Bach Places..

Memories of Johann Sebastian Bach in Weimar. The Bach monuments trace his life story. The first one, at the very top of this page, is located in Eisenach. The second one, shown in picture 2, is in Ohrdruf. Here you can see the one in Weimar. I have two photos of “Bach in Weimar” for you, though ... because Johann Sebastian Bach’s life journey brought him to this dreamlike city twice..

There are more Bach locations than you might think right now. That’s because more cities call themselves Bach cities than one would associate with Johann Sebastian Bach, the outstanding composer in this world-famous family of musicians. These Bach cities include, for example, Milan in Italy and London in the United Kingdom. However, they are associated with Johann Christian Bach, one of the famous sons of the Thomas Cantor. Yet the enchanting city of Gotha and the proud city of Erfurt, located almost in the center of Germany, are Bach cities that are fitting for the court composer. Gehren is not one of the Bach cities ... because, as a municipality, it is actually more of a Bach place. Sangerhausen is a Bach city. And Dresden, of course. However, not all of these Bach cities and Bach places are the kind of Bach cities that one immediately associates with the life of the Thomas Cantor..

The Bache, as the plural of Bach was written back then, were an early hallmark. Perhaps even one of the very first. Not only were there many of them, but many of these Bachs were also musicians at the time. In the Bach city of Erfurt alone, there are over 60 entries regarding this family in the city’s church records. Johann Sebastian Bach’s father-in-law lived and composed music in the Bach village of Gehren. And, of course, Maria Barbara Bach, his daughter, also lived there at first..

People associate Johann Sebastian Bach with the Bach place Wechmar ... but not really. Not usually, anyway. But some people have always done so ... and very particularly so. Because in Wechmar stands the mill where the story of not only the most famous, but also by far the largest family of musicians on earth began. On this, my Johann Sebastian Bach website, I’ll introduce you to all the Bach cities and all the Bach places. Not just the ones directly associated with the Thomas Cantor. But four whole categories: one Bach city after another. And in the order in which Johann Sebastian Bach was active there. Weimar presents a bit of a challenge here, since Johann Sebastian Bach lived there twice. That doesn’t work well for the sequence. But since this site doesn’t just feature Bach cities associated with Johann Sebastian Bach, let’s start by introducing the three other categories right here and now. In addition to the three Bach cities and Bach locations associated with Johann Sebastian Bach’s early years, as well as the five Bach cities where he later worked and lived, there are also the Bach cities where he gave concerts. And those he traveled to, which are mentioned in biographies: because he inspected or planned organs there. A third category consists of cities and towns that are very closely linked to the genealogy of the Bach musical family. Erfurt, Gotha, and Wechmar are examples. Finally, the fourth category comprises locations that are only very distantly connected to Johann Sebastian Bach. An example? Andisleben. It was from there that members of the Bach family emigrated to America..

Johann Sebastian Bach Museums & Co..

The same Johann Sebastian Bach as in the photo above. But from a completely different angle. My “mishmash” covers Bach’s life journey: While Johann Sebastian Bach moved from Weimar to Arnstadt at the very beginning of his career and didn’t return until later, both photos here are right next to each other. Johann Sebastian Bach initially spent only half a year in Weimar. The second time, he stayed for a full nine years..

What exactly are “Bach museums and the like”? Well, according to my very own definition, they’re simply all such institutions where you can experience something “completely official”. Specifically, something related to Johann Sebastian Bach. In other words, a museum like the one in Eisenach or the Bach Archive in Leipzig..

It’s borderline to include Lüneburg in this section. Lüneburg is definitely a Bach city – in fact, it’s even a Johann Sebastian Bach City. And … Lüneburg is beautiful. It’s also worth seeing. But … there’s really only the church where the young Johann Sebastian Bach played, studied, and sang. And that’s about it when it comes to JSB. The staff at the local tourism office are welcome to correct me if that’s not the case. I mean this seriously and would even appreciate it if they did..

There isn’t a Bach-related attraction like that in Ohrdruf either. And in Weimar, unfortunately, the situation is still more than a bit borderline today … Weimar gets a better rating from me than Lüneburg, though. After all, Weimar at least has a small Johann Sebastian Bach monument. So on the relevant page of the website, I feature: the Bach family home in Wechmar, the Veit Bach Mill in Wechmar, the Bach House in Eisenach, the Bach Museum in Eisenach, as well as the Bach House and the Bach Church in Arnstadt. Also included is the wedding church in Dornheim. Finally, the Bach Archive in Leipzig, the Bach Museum in Leipzig, and, last but not least, St. Thomas Church with the tomb of Johann Sebastian Bach ... also in Leipzig..

B-A-C-H : Johann Sebastian Bach Is the Only Composer on the Planet Whose Name You Can Actually Sing..

Next “stop” on his life’s journey: Arnstadt. It is “my” Bach city. And “our” Bach city. The Bach city of all Bach cities. Johann Sebastian Bach was still young when he got his first real job here. And so he’s still “hanging out” in front of City Hall today. Much to the delight of the many visitors who, following in Bach’s footsteps, can easily pose for photos with him. Precisely because he hadn’t yet made it high up in the world: a truly fresh way to design a monument. Johann Sebastian Bach “completely laid-back.”..

My first attempt to explain why you can sing Bach and also play it on an instrument ended in a dead end. It was too difficult to convey, and besides … only in German-speaking countries, no less. Too much for someone who has always enjoyed listening to music ... but who hasn’t actually played an instrument, only created music on a computer..

But ... if something doesn't work out on the first try, you give it a second try with the help of real professionals. You can read about the results on the relevant page of my Johann Sebastian Bach website..

The World-Famous "Ursprung" ... by Johann Sebastian Bach..

How charming: the village of Dornheim, about a five-minute drive from Arnstadt. A must-see if you’re traveling in the footsteps of Johann Sebastian Bach. The biography mentions Dornheim only in passing. But today, it’s definitely worth a visit. The wedding church, the small churchyard with the adjacent cemetery, and the monument to Johann Sebastian Bach. When exactly is the charming little Bach-Stübchen ... which you can see in the background ... open? Be sure to check that before you head there. Dornheim: what a charming little Bach village right next to an impressive Bach city..

Perhaps, if you’re interested in Bach – and not just a fan of his music – you’ve heard of it: the “Ursprung.” The Ursprung (... The Origin) is a term used by Bach fans to refer to a compilation of the musicians in Bach’s family up to 1735. At the age of 50, Johann Sebastian Bach compiled and wrote down this list himself … 53 relatives, neatly sorted by number. And on this, my website, you can find the Origin “Ursprung.” It’s available in a fair copy and in Old German, as well as in a modern font. Finally, thanks to Martin Schlu, it’s also available in German as it’s spoken today. Incidentally, the full title of the “Ursprung” is Ursprung der musicalisch-Bachischen Familie. In fact, 44 of the people listed were musicians..

The Letter from Bach to George Erdmann..

Wonderful: the still-young Johann Sebastian Bach in Mühlhausen. Standing next to the base of his monument. As if he didn’t quite belong up there yet. Johann Sebastian Bach’s life story unfolds for only a very brief time in the Bach city of Mühlhausen. Within Thuringia, his next place of activity is – once again – Weimar. Two “Bach cities” then mark the end of his life’s journey: first Köthen in Saxony-Anhalt. And finally, the “Bach city par excellence”: Leipzig in Saxony. © Info..

Are there many original letters by Johann Sebastian Bach still in existence? No. There is exactly: ... one! That is, the famous Erdmann Letter. While some artists left behind “tons” of letters for posterity – and some at least a “reasonable number” – there is only this one letter to Georg Erdmann from Johann Sebastian. In these lines, one can clearly see how desperately Bach turned to his former school friend, asking whether he might know of another position for the Thomas Cantor. Today, the original is housed at the Berlin State Library – Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (... in the music department)..

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Original Documents and Signatures of Johann Sebastian Bach..

The monument dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach stands on Bach Square in Köthen. Behind it stands the house where he lived with his family: the second house in which he resided in Köthen. The first no longer exists. The Bachs’ life story – or, as they were known at the time, the Bache – led the family to the first “Bach city” outside of Thuringia: Köthen in Saxony-Anhalt..

There is an entire chapter devoted to original documents by Johann Sebastian Bach that still exist today ... or rather, from a time over 300 years ago. And there you will also find a collection of an unusually large number of different signatures..

Impressive ... that applies to Bach’s work, his life, and the monument in the musical metropolis of Leipzig: Johann Sebastian Bach was active there for a full 27 years. In fact, Leipzig is the quintessential Bach city. His life’s journey ended here, and his career culminated in the titles, works, and recognition Bach received during those three decades. And yet the fame he enjoyed at that time cannot even begin to compare to the recognition he receives today..

A pilgrimage destination for thousands of Bach fans: the tomb of Johann Sebastian Bach in St. Thomas Church. It is the final resting place of the St. Thomas Cantor, located very close to the altar. Anyone who reads the biography of the master will realize that a city’s pride in its exceptional artist, Johann Sebastian Bach, is very different today than it was some 270 years ago. Today, Johann Sebastian Bach is revered in the musical metropolis of Leipzig. The people of Leipzig revered him back then as well. But not ... the city council and a few “important”people more..

Johann Sebastian Bach’s grave, which hasn’t always been there. Johann Sebastian Bach’s career came to a dramatic end in 1750: Biographers reported that an official search for a successor was already underway while Bach was still recovering ... before he finally died of exhaustion. Or from a first or second stroke. Today, the city of Bach honors Johann Sebastian Bach with two monuments, both located in the immediate vicinity of St. Thomas Church..

The Music of Johann Sebastian Bach..

It was the music that inspired me to create this Bach website.The music of Johann Sebastian Bach. In search of my own roots, I wanted to get to know it better. The problem was this: With 1,120 pieces – enough to fill roughly 157 CDs – how on earth do you find the kind of music that speaks to you? Where do you even start? I actually didn’t succeed..

The Best of Johann Sebastian Bach was the title of a CD I bought, hoping to get a first impression. But that failed miserably. This and similar CDs and compilations reflect the many motivations and considerations behind putting together a collection of works in exactly that way. You’ll never find Johann Sebastian Bach’s best pieces that way, either. And anyway, which ones are the best is a matter of taste..

What is not a matter of taste, however, are Johann Sebastian Bach’s best-known and – above all – most popular works. That is, if you know how to compile a list of them objectively. Twenty years ago, that was hardly possible. But today, it’s no longer: Google and YouTube have entered the picture. I’ve searched for you using a selection process and identified precisely the best-known and most popular – not the best – works..

You can listen to some of these in their entirety, some as a short extract and some as just a tiny snippet. All are three minutes long at most. At most. You can also view the various photo themes – that is, photo galleries – that correspond to each topic. The selection is designed to be wide-ranging. Concert No. 2 or No. 3 from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos certainly pairs well with pictures of castles. My coffee photos definitely go well with the Coffee Cantata. Versailles pairs well with the French Suite, and the Ave Maria – which, after all, wasn’t composed solely by Johann Sebastian Bach – becomes even more beautiful when paired with images of angels or the tombs at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Please note with a smile: Many of the photo galleries have nothing – absolutely nothing – to do with Johann Sebastian Bach..

Johann Sebastian Bach for Children..

The goal of this project of mine is to spread the works of Johann Sebastian Bach even further throughout the world. This also includes sharing knowledge about his life and the Bach family tree, as well as inviting people to visit the many Bach cities to discover where the master once lived and worked..

I believe that, when it comes to certain topics, it’s generally not so much about inspiring enthusiasm. Rather, it’s about not “scaring people off” at first glance. That’s the foundation of my entire website and the whole Bach on Bach project. It’s intentionally meant to be a counterpart to the excellent – but differently approached – projects surrounding the musician..

Inspiring children and students – or, to use the words from above again, not scaring them away – is a challenging aspect of this project. Presenting a highly complex subject in an engaging way, breaking it down, and making it accessible … that’s what I hope to achieve with these pages and the entire cross-media project. To that end, my website is also designed to be multimedia-rich. It’s a website to experience. To discover. Perhaps even a real Johann Sebastian Bach “adventure playground.” FAQ bring the facts closer to those who are also interested in other topics. The profile gets “right to the point”… but in a different form. And for those who shy away from overly long biographies, there isn’t just one Johann Sebastian Bach short biography here. Instead, there are six of them. Short and even shorter. For reading, for interactive back-and-forth exploration, with or without music, or for sitting back and watching..

Of course, this text isn’t optimized for younger kids. It’s intended for music teachers, musicians with children, schools, music clubs, as well as parents and grandparents. Through fun and interaction with the audiovisual content – such as shows, music videos, and background information – I want to present Johann Sebastian Bach in an educational way that is only possible through modern media. This Johann Sebastian Bach website is meant to be the opposite of boring ... especially for older kids and students..

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