Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer born in 1685. He wrote music that people still play and love more than 300 years later. Bach was a master at weaving different musical lines together so they sounded like a beautiful conversation. He wrote music for churches, orchestras, and keyboard instruments. Many people consider him one of the greatest composers who ever lived.

A Musical Family

Bach came from a huge family of musicians. More than 50 members of his family were musicians over several generations. He learned to play the violin, organ, and harpsichord as a young boy. Bach worked as a church musician for most of his life. He wrote music for church services every week. He also taught music and had 20 children, and several of them became famous musicians too.

Music That Lasts Forever

Bach wrote over 1,000 pieces of music. His Brandenburg Concertos are full of joy and energy. His Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is a dramatic organ piece often heard in movies. He also wrote gentle pieces like the Cello Suites. Bach was not very famous during his lifetime. But years after he died, people rediscovered his music and realized how amazing it was. Today he is considered one of the all-time greats.

Fun Facts

• Bach wrote over 1,000 pieces of music during his lifetime.
• He once walked 250 miles to hear a famous organist play.
• Bach had 20 children, and four of his sons also became well-known composers.

Did You Know?

Bach's music was sent into outer space on the Voyager Golden Record so that aliens might one day hear it!