Johann Sebastian Bach, born on 31 March 1685, in Eisenach, Germany, was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in Western classical music history.
Key Highlights of His Life
- Early Life: Born into a
legendary musical family in Eisenach, he was orphaned by age
10 and raised by his older brother, Johann Christoph, who gave him his
first keyboard lessons.
- Career Path: He held several
prestigious positions, most notably as Kapellmeister at
the court of Prince Leopold in Köthen (1717–1723) and
as Thomaskantor (Director of Church Music) in Leipzig (1723–1750).
- Prolific Output: Bach
composed over 1,100 works across nearly every major
Baroque genre, including cantatas, concertos, suites, and passions, with
the notable exception of opera.
