Johann Sebastian Bach

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Born: 1685   Died: 1750   Country: Germany   Period: Baroque
Johann Sebastian Bach was better known as a virtuoso organist than as a composer in his day. His sacred music, organ and choral works, and other instrumental music had an enthusiasm and seeming freedom that concealed immense rigor. Bach's use of counterpoint was brilliant and innovative, and the immense complexities of his compositional style -- which often included religious and numerological symbols that seem to fit perfectly together in a Read more profound puzzle of special codes -- still amaze musicians today. Many consider him the greatest composer of all time.

Bach was born in Eisenach in 1685. He was taught to play the violin and harpsichord by his father, Johann Ambrosius, a court trumpeter in the service of the Duke of Eisenach. Young Johann was not yet ten when his father died, leaving him orphaned. He was taken in by his recently married oldest brother, Johann Christoph, who lived in Ohrdruf. Because of his excellent singing voice, Bach attained a position at the Michaelis monastery at Lüneberg in 1700. His voice changed a short while later, but he stayed on as an instrumentalist. After taking a short-lived post in Weimar in 1703 as a violinist, Bach became organist at the Neue Kirche in Arnstadt (1703-1707). His relationship with the church council was tenuous as the young musician often shirked his responsibilities, preferring to practice the organ. One account describes a four-month leave granted Bach, to travel to Lubeck where he would familiarize himself with the music of Dietrich Buxtehude. He returned to Arnstadt long after was expected and much to the dismay of the council. He then briefly served at St. Blasius in Mühlhausen as organist, beginning in June 1707, and married his cousin, Maria Barbara Bach, that fall. Bach composed his famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) and his first cantatas while in Mühlhausen, but quickly outgrew the musical resources of the town. He next took a post for the Duke of Sachsen-Weimar in 1708, serving as court organist and playing in the orchestra, eventually becoming its leader in 1714. He wrote many organ compositions during this period, including his Orgel-Büchlein. Owing to politics between the Duke and his officials, Bach left Weimar and secured a post in December 1717 as Kapellmeister at Cöthen. In 1720, Bach's wife suddenly died, leaving him with four children (three others had died in infancy). A short while later, he met his second wife, soprano Anna Magdalena Wilcke, whom he married in December 1721. She would bear 13 children, though only five would survive childhood. The six Brandenburg Concertos (BWV 1046-51), among many other secular works, date from his Cöthen years. Bach became Kantor of the Thomas School in Leipzig in May 1723 and held the post until his death. It was in Leipzig that he composed the bulk of his religious and secular cantatas. Bach eventually became dissatisfied with this post, not only because of its meager financial rewards, but also because of onerous duties and inadequate facilities. Thus, he took on other projects, chief among which was the directorship of the city's Collegium Musicum, an ensemble of professional and amateur musicians who gave weekly concerts, in 1729. He also became music director at the Dresden Court in 1736, in the service of Frederick Augustus II; though his duties were vague and apparently few, they allowed him freedom to compose what he wanted. Bach began making trips to Berlin in the 1740s, not least because his son Carl Philipp Emanuel served as a court musician there. In May 1747, the composer was warmly received by King Frederick II of Prussia, for whom he wrote the gloriously abstruse Musical Offering (BWV 1079). Among Bach's last works was his 1749 Mass in B minor. Besieged by diabetes, he died on July 28, 1750. Read less

Featured Johann Sebastian Bach CDs & DVDs:

Bach: Complete Orchestral Works / Helmuth Rilling
Bach: Complete Orchestral Works / Helmuth Rilling
Release Date: 04/30/2013   Label: Hänssler Classic  
Catalog: 98009   Number of Discs: 11
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Bach: Suites No 4, 5 & 6 / Hopkinson Smith
Bach: Suites No 4, 5 & 6 / Hopkinson Smith
Release Date: 02/26/2013   Label: Naive  
Catalog: 8938   Number of Discs: 1
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Bach: Cantatas Vol 28 / Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists
Bach: Cantatas Vol 28 / Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists
Release Date: 04/30/2013   Label: Soli Deo Gloria Records  
Catalog: 185   Number of Discs: 1
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Bach: Mass In B Minor / Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists
Bach: Mass In B Minor / Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists
Release Date: 10/25/1990   Label: Archiv Produktion (Dg)  
Catalog: 415514   Number of Discs: 2
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Bach: Markus-passion / Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque, Et Al
Bach: Markus-passion / Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque, Et Al
Release Date: 03/14/2000   Label: Erato  
Catalog: 80221   Number of Discs: 2
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Work: Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043

Browse 26-50 of 163 Available Recordings
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  • 26.
    Bach: Concertos For Flute, Oboe & Violin (Reconstructed By C. Hogwood) / Marriner
    Bach: Concertos For Flute, Oboe & Violin (Reconstructed By C. Hogwood) / Marriner
    Label: Eloquence   Catalog: 4802202 Release Date: 04/05/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Neil Black,  Ronald Thomas,  Carmel Kaine,  Richard Studt  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
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  • 27.
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Francescatti, Baumgartner, Lucerne Festival Strings
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Francescatti, Baumgartner, Lucerne Festival Strings
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 429151 Release Date: 04/05/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Zino Francescatti,  Régis Pasquier
    Conductor:  Rudolf Baumgartner
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Lucerne Festival Strings
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  • 28.
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Perlman, Zukerman, Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Perlman, Zukerman, Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 18700 Release Date: 03/08/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Itzhak Perlman,  Pinchas Zukerman
    Conductor:  Daniel Barenboim
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  English Chamber Orchestra
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  • 29.
    Bach, Mozart, Brahms: Violin Concertos / David Oistrakh
    Bach, Mozart, Brahms: Violin Concertos / David Oistrakh
    Label: Ica Classics   Catalog: 5012 Release Date: 02/22/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Johannes Brahms,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  David Oistrakh
    Conductor:  Sir Colin Davis,  Kiril Kondrashin,  Yehudi Menuhin
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  English Chamber Orchestra,  Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 30.
    Bach: Integrale Concerts Plusieurs / Cafe Zimmerman
    Bach: Integrale Concerts Plusieurs / Cafe Zimmerman
    Label: Alpha Productions   Catalog: 811 Release Date: 01/10/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Café Zimmermann
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  • 31.
    Bach: Concertos For Violin / Bezzina, Corolla, Ensemble Baroque De Nice
    Bach: Concertos For Violin / Bezzina, Corolla, Ensemble Baroque De Nice
    Label: Ligia   Catalog: 301175 Release Date: 12/14/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Gilbert Bezzina,  Laura Corolla
    Conductor:  Gilbert Bezzina
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Ensemble Baroque De Nice
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  • 32.
    Bach: Concertos, Brandenburg Concertos / London Conchord Ensemble
    Bach: Concertos, Brandenburg Concertos / London Conchord Ensemble
    Label: Champs Hill Records   Catalog: 14 Release Date: 11/16/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Florian Uhlig
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Conchord Ensemble
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  • 33.
    Yehudi Menuhin, George Enescu Perform Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Wieniawki, Bach
    Yehudi Menuhin, George Enescu Perform Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Wieniawki, Bach
    Label: Dutton Laboratories/Vocalion   Catalog: 1916 Release Date: 11/09/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Felix Mendelssohn,  Henri Wieniawski,  Antonín Dvorák,  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Yehudi Menuhin,  George Enescu
    Conductor:  George Enescu,  Pierre Monteux
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Colonne Concerts Orchestra,  Paris Conservatoire Orchestra,  Paris Symphony Orchestra
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  • 34.
    Bach: Violin Concerti
    Bach: Violin Concerti
    Label: Artek   Catalog: 54-2 Release Date: 09/28/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Elmar Oliveira,  Eva Gruesser
    Conductor:  Elmar Oliveira
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Arco Ensemble
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  • 35.
    Bach & Beyond / Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan
    Bach & Beyond / Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan
    Label: Bis   Catalog: 9036/39 Release Date: 08/31/2010   Number of Discs: 15
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Jan Dismas Zelenka,  Johann Kuhnau,  Dietrich Buxtehude  ... 
    Performer:  Carolyn Sampson,  Makoto Sakurada,  Stephan Schreckenberger,  Masaaki Suzuki  ... 
    Conductor:  Masaaki Suzuki
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bach Collegium Japan,  Concerto Palatino,  Concerto Palatino members
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  • 36.
    50 Best Bach
    50 Best Bach
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 57496 Release Date: 06/29/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Richard Boothby,  Peter Kooy,  Christoph Prégardien,  Catherine Patriasz  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Philip Ledger,  Wolfgang Gönnenwein,  Andrew Parrott,  Philippe Herreweghe  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Consortium Musicum,  Taverner Players,  La Petite Bande  ... 
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  • 37.
    Essential Highlights Of Pekka Kuusisto
    Essential Highlights Of Pekka Kuusisto
    Label: Ondine   Catalog: 254-2 Release Date: 04/27/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Jaakko Kuusisto,  Pekka Kuusisto
    Conductor:  Pekka Kuusisto
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Tapiola Sinfonietta,  Virtuosi di Kuhmo
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  • 38.
    Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi, Bottesini: Double Concertos For Strings
    Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi, Bottesini: Double Concertos For Strings
    Label: Warner Classics   Catalog: 4683285 Release Date: 04/26/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Georg Philipp Telemann,  Antonio Vivaldi,  Giovanni Bottesini
    Performer:  Pilvikki Virtaperko,  Réka Szilvay,  Sini-Maaria Simonen,  Pirkko Simojoki  ... 
    Conductor:  Csaba Szilvay,  Géza Szilvay
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  • 39.
    Kennedy Plays Bach
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 6290572 Release Date: 04/12/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Unspecified
    Performer:  Nigel Kennedy,  Albrecht Mayer,  Daniel Stabrawa
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  • 40.
    Bach: Violin Concertos, Orchestral Suites / Menuhin
    Bach: Violin Concertos, Orchestral Suites / Menuhin
    Label: Emi Seraphim   Catalog: 68517 Release Date: 10/26/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Yehudi Menuhin,  Christian Ferras,  Leon Goossens
    Conductor:  Yehudi Menuhin
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bath Festival Orchestra
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  • 41.
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Jonathan Rees
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Jonathan Rees
    Label: Virgin Classics   Catalog: 91453 Release Date: 09/14/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
    Performer:  Sally Heath,  Jonathan Rees,  Jane Murdoch,  Caroline Dale
    Conductor:  Jonathan Rees
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Scottish Ensemble
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  • 42.
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Wallfisch, King's Consort
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Wallfisch, King's Consort
    Label: Helios   Catalog: 55347 Release Date: 08/11/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Catherine Mackintosh,  Elizabeth Wallfisch,  Paul Goodwin
    Conductor:  Robert King
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  King's Consort
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  • 43.
    Three Violinists Play Bach
    Three Violinists Play Bach
    Label: Opus Kura   Catalog: 7043 Release Date: 06/09/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Devy Erlih,  H. Merckel,  Kurt Kalmus,  Reinhold Barchet
    Conductor:  Kurt Redel
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  • 44.
    The Great Violin Concertos / Yehudi Menuhin
    The Great Violin Concertos / Yehudi Menuhin
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 64198 Release Date: 04/21/2009   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Béla Bartók,  Sir William Walton,  Alban Berg,  Carl Nielsen  ... 
    Performer:  Yehudi Menuhin,  George Malcolm,  William Bennett,  Christian Ferras  ... 
    Conductor:  Pierre Boulez,  Sir William Walton,  Antal Doráti,  Mogens Wöldike  ... 
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  • 45.
    Yehudi Menuhin - The Great EMI Recordings
    Yehudi Menuhin - The Great EMI Recordings
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 64131 Release Date: 04/21/2009   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms,  Lili Boulanger,  Ernest Bloch,  Ludwig van Beethoven  ... 
    Performer:  Yehudi Menuhin,  Ferguson Webster,  Derek Simpson,  Robert Masters  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Adrian Boult,  John Pritchard,  George Enescu,  Sir William Walton  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Philharmonic Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Colonne Concerts Orchestra  ... 
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  • 46.
    Bach, Vivaldi: Double Concertos / Zukerman, Midori
    Bach, Vivaldi: Double Concertos / Zukerman, Midori
    Label: Philips   Catalog: 416389 Release Date: 02/18/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Midori,  Pinchas Zukerman
    Conductor:  Pinchas Zukerman
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
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  • 47.
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Julia Fischer, ASMF
    Bach: Violin Concertos / Julia Fischer, ASMF
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001249002 Release Date: 01/27/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Julia Fischer,  Alexander Sitkovetsky,  Andrey Rubtsov
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
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  • 48.
    Gemini - Bach: Brandenburg & Violin Concertos / Menuhin, Bath Festival Orchestra
    Gemini - Bach: Brandenburg & Violin Concertos / Menuhin, Bath Festival Orchestra
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 17617 Release Date: 11/11/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Yehudi Menuhin,  Janet Craxton,  Christopher Taylor,  Dennis Clift  ... 
    Conductor:  Yehudi Menuhin
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bath Festival Orchestra
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  • 49.
    Bach, Vivaldi: Concertos For Violins / Lysy, Menuhin, Lee
    Bach, Vivaldi: Concertos For Violins / Lysy, Menuhin, Lee
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 47900 Release Date: 10/29/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Yehudi Menuhin,  Alberto Lysy,  Hu Kun,  Lee Mi-Kyung  ... 
    Conductor:  Alberto Lysy
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Camerata Lysy
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  • 50.
    Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Leclair, Kodaly, Meyer: Violin Concertos / David Oistrakh
    Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Leclair, Kodaly, Meyer: Violin Concertos / David Oistrakh
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 184612 Release Date: 10/14/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Ernst Hermann Meyer,  Zoltán Kodály,  Jean Marie Leclair,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  ... 
    Performer:  David Oistrakh,  Naum Walter,  Igor Oistrakh
    Conductor:  Otmar Suitner,  Franz Konwitschny
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Dresden Staatskapelle,  Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
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