(Germany 1685-1750)
He is considered the greatest composer of all times. From a family with tremendous musical tradition he took violin lessons from his father and studied harpsichord and organ with his brother Johann Christoff. As a composer and organist he worked in Arnstadt (1703-1707), Weimar (1708-1717), Koethen (1717- 1723) and Leipzig (1723-1750). He married twice and of his twenty children, five became musicians.
He died in 1750, at the age of 65, having completely lost his sight.
During his lifetime he was known only as an organist and his compositions were neglected for almost a century. His work is monumental, unique and a landmark in history of music not only for its sheer volume but also for its technical perfection.
Amongst his survining works are 1087 compositions which represent the highest point in the art of polyphony. Indicatively we refer to the following works: «St. Matthew Passion», «Mass in B minor», concertos for various instruments includind the «6 Brandenburg Concertos», many suites and sonatas for violin, cello, harpsichord and lute, the «Well tempered clavier», «The Art of the fugue», chamber music, over 300 religious cantatas and numerous works for the organ.
Publications of J. S. Bach. . .
