Johann Sebastian Bach

The Counterpoint King

Johann Sebastian

Bach

When?

March 21 1685

July 28 1750, age 65

Where?

Eisenach, Germany

Bach was a

Baroque

composer.

Bach grew up in a very musical family. His parents, uncles, and cousins all played instruments or sang. Bach learned music the way other kids learn to play games.

His pieces are sometimes like puzzles, with many voices playing at the same time. Imagine iyou and your friends talking at the same time, but you were able to understand every word.

Bach wrote over 1,000 pieces of music, including church music for chorus and orchestra, called cantatas.

Bach’s music is known for having many melodies happening at the same time fit like fabrics woven together. This style is called counterpoint.

Bach’s music often sounds like musical conversation. One instrument introduces a theme, then
another answers it. Then the theme moves to other instruments. One example of this style of writing is called a fugue.

Bach music in action:

Brandenburg Concerto No. 1: Bach

The first of Bach's six Brandenburg Concertos, a festive work featuring an unusual combination of horns, oboes, strings, and bassoon in joyful...

Toccata and Fugue: Bach

Arranged for piano, this is one of the most famous organ works ever written, opening with a thunderous solo \ before launching...

Fun Facts

Both Maestros

Double-Decker Keyboard

Many harpsichords have TWO keyboards stacked on top of each other! Each one makes a different sound—like having two instruments in one.

Both Maestros

The King of Instruments

By the time Bach was 18, he became very good at playing the organ, a huge instrument with lots of keys and huge pipes where the music comes out.

Both Maestros

The Long Walk

One time, Bach walked about 250 miles to hear a famous organist perform. The trip took him days to make. Remember, there was no Youtube!

Both Maestros

Get in Line!

Bach had twenty-two kids! Can you imagine if they all had to share a bathroom?