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: Concertos / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
Bach: Concertos / Fabio Biondi, Europa Galante
Release Date: 01/11/2000   Label: Virgin Classics Veritas  
Catalog: 45361   Number of Discs: 1
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Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Bostridge, Biondi, Europa Galante
Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Bostridge, Biondi, Europa Galante
Release Date: 01/09/2001   Label: Virgin Classics Veritas  
Catalog: 45420   Number of Discs: 1
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Baroque - Albinoni, Bach, Vivaldi, Lotti, Loeillet / Eroica Trio
Baroque - Albinoni, Bach, Vivaldi, Lotti, Loeillet / Eroica Trio
Release Date: 11/16/1999   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 56873   Number of Discs: 1
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The Perlman Edition - Bach: Violin Concertos/ Perlman, Et Al
The Perlman Edition - Bach: Violin Concertos/ Perlman, Et Al
Release Date: 10/21/2003   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 62602   Number of Discs: 1
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Bach: Sonatas For Unaccompanied Violin / Nathan Milstein
Bach: Sonatas For Unaccompanied Violin / Nathan Milstein
Release Date: 02/13/2001   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 66869   Number of Discs: 1
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Work: Suite for Orchestra no 2: Badinerie

Browse 1-25 of 136 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Bach Piano Transcriptions
    Label: Abc Classics   Catalog: 4765171 Release Date: 03/05/2013   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Lord Berners,  Sir Arthur Bliss,  Sir William Walton  ... 
    Performer:  Antony Gray
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  • 2.
    Essential Encores
    Essential Encores
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 05149 Release Date: 10/09/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Antonio Bazzini,  Niccolň Paganini,  Fritz Kreisler,  Jules Massenet  ... 
    Performer:  Vag Papian,  Maxim Vengerov,  Michael Rabin,  Tasmin Little  ... 
    Conductor:  Wolfgang Sawallisch,  Rudolf Kempe,  Sir Thomas Beecham,  Mariss Jansons  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Virtuosi,  Nash Ensemble
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  • 3.
    Baroque Treasures
    Baroque Treasures
    Label: Virgin Classics   Catalog: 02579 Release Date: 09/25/2012   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Claudio Monteverdi,  George Frideric Handel,  Johann Pachelbel,  Antonio Vivaldi  ... 
    Performer:  David Daniels,  Chiara Bianchini,  Janet See,  Christopher Krueger  ... 
    Conductor:  Emmanuelle Haďm,  Roger Norrington,  Andrew Parrott,  Richard Hickox  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Taverner Players,  Taverner Consort,  Concerto Cologne  ... 
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  • 4.
    L'Art de la Flute de Pan / Simon Stanciu
    L'Art de la Flute de Pan / Simon Stanciu
    Label: Cascavelle   Catalog: 3140 Release Date: 08/14/2012   Number of Discs: 7
    Composer:  Domenico Cimarosa,  Antonio Vivaldi,  Tomaso Albinoni,  Luigi Boccherini  ... 
    Performer:  Simion Stanciu Syrinx,  Jean-Pierre Rampal,  Alexandre Lagoya,  Marielle Nordmann
    Conductor:  Jean-Pierre Berlingen,  Edmond de Stoutz,  Hans Graf,  Claudio Scimone  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Normandy Orchestral Ensemble,  Zurich Chamber Orchestra,  Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra  ... 
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  • 5.
    Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon
    Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001703302 Release Date: 07/24/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Frideric Handel,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Tomaso Albinoni,  Arcangelo Corelli  ... 
    Performer:  Wolfgang Meyer,  Heinz Holliger,  Eric Bartlett,  Eric Wyrick  ... 
    Conductor:  Trevor Pinnock,  Rafael Kubelik,  Alexander Van Wijnkoop,  Claudio Abbado  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  I Musici
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  • 6.
    Bach For Dummies [2011 Edition]
    Bach For Dummies [2011 Edition]
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 21177 Release Date: 07/03/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
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  • 7.
    Bach In Jazz / Martin Petzold, Stephan Konig Trio
    Bach In Jazz / Martin Petzold, Stephan Konig Trio
    Label: Rondeau Productions   Catalog: 6048 Release Date: 06/26/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Martin Petzold
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Stephan König Trio
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  • 8.
    Best Of Bach
    Best Of Bach
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 300336 Release Date: 06/12/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Theo Adam,  Hans Pischner,  E. Power Biggs,  Günther Leib  ... 
    Conductor:  Helmut Koch,  Hans-Joachim Rotzsch,  Martin Flämig,  Rudolf Mauersberger  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig New Bach Collegium Musicum
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  • 9.
    Classics For Your Wedding
    Classics For Your Wedding
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 623247 Release Date: 06/05/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner,  Johann Pachelbel,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  César Franck  ... 
    Performer:  Christopher Krueger,  Aldo Ciccolini,  David [Pipe Organ] Briggs,  Katia Labčque  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink,  Andrew Parrott,  Sir Neville Marriner,  Stephen Cleobury  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Taverner Players,  Ensemble Orchestral de Paris,  Taverner Consort  ... 
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  • 10.
    Best Of Bach [tgg Direct]
    Best Of Bach [tgg Direct]
    Label: Tgg Direct   Catalog: 60261 Release Date: 11/22/2011   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
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  • 11.
    50 Most Essential Bach Masterpieces
    50 Most Essential Bach Masterpieces
    Label: X5   Catalog: 113 Release Date: 11/15/2011   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Henrik Mawe,  Klemens Schnorr,  Pieter Schoeman,  Vesselin Gellev  ... 
    Conductor:  David Parry,  Mikhail Gantvarg,  Jansug Kakhidze,  Saulius Sondeckis  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  St. Petersburg Soloists,  Bach Collegium Japan,  Moravian Trio
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  • 12.
    My First Classical Music Album
    My First Classical Music Album
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8578203 Release Date: 11/15/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Antonio Vivaldi,  John Adams  ... 
    Performer:  Takako Nishizaki,  Pascal Devoyon,  Dong-Suk Kang,  Jürgen Schuster  ... 
    Conductor:  Michael Halász,  Stephen Gunzenhauser,  Marin Alsop,  Jaroslav Dvorák  ... 
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  • 13.
    Church Street Promenade: Reflections For Organ
    Label: Passion For Pipes   Catalog: 173898 Release Date: 08/09/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Carl Czerny,  Matt Dickerson,  Denis Bédard  ... 
    Performer:  David Kevin Lamb
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  • 14.
    Printemps
    Printemps
    Label: Gall (Formerly Gallo)   Catalog: 1303 Release Date: 07/12/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Antonio Vivaldi
    Performer:  Denis Fedorov,  Michel Tirabosco
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Ensemble Concordia Discors
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  • 15.
    Maurice Andre Edition: Suites, Dances And Arrangements
    Maurice Andre Edition: Suites, Dances And Arrangements
    Label: Erato   Catalog: 4676062 Release Date: 06/28/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Antonio Vivaldi,  Traditional,  Arcangelo Corelli  ... 
    Performer:  Wolfgang Karius,  Maurice André,  Guy Pedersen,  Gus Wallez  ... 
    Conductor:  Claude Pichaureau,  Marc Soustrot,  Karl Ristenpart,  François Rauber  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Harmonie Municipale D'alčs,  Ensemble of Bologna,  Ensemble De Cuivres De Paris  ... 
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  • 16.
    Past Future: Arrangements For Electric Bass
    Past Future: Arrangements For Electric Bass
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8572650 Release Date: 06/28/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jan Alm,  Henry Eccles,  Magnus Rosen,  Jimi Hendrix  ... 
    Performer:  Magnus Rosen,  Susana Risberg
    Conductor:  David Björkman
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra,  Hvila String Quartet
    CD: $9.99
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  • 17.
    Bach: Toccata & Fugue, Brandenburg Concerto No 4; Air On A G String / Carney
    Bach: Toccata & Fugue, Brandenburg Concerto No 4; Air On A G String / Carney
    Label: Royal Philharmonic Masterworks   Catalog: 28900 Release Date: 06/14/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Jonathan Carney
    Conductor:  Jonathan Carney
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 18.
    Best Of Classics - Bach, Beethoven, Strauss, Vivaldi, Dvorak, Chopin, Mozart
    Best Of Classics - Bach, Beethoven, Strauss, Vivaldi, Dvorak, Chopin, Mozart
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: 4013 Release Date: 10/26/2010   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Antonín Dvorák,  Leos Janácek  ... 
    Performer:  Jiri Reinberger,  Jan Kalfus,  Miroslav Kejmar,  Zuzana Ruzicková  ... 
    Conductor:  Bohumil Kulínsky,  Jaroslav Krcek,  Milan Munclinger,  Josef Vlach  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Prague Children's Chorus,  Musica Bohemica,  Ars Rediviva  ... 
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  • 19.
    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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  • 20.
    Bach / Richard Galliano
    Bach / Richard Galliano
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001444602 Release Date: 06/29/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Raphaël Pidoux,  Jean-Marc Phillips,  Jean-Marc Apap,  Richard Galliano  ... 
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  • 21.
    Top 100 Favorite Classical Melodies
    Top 100 Favorite Classical Melodies
    Label: Brilliant Classics   Catalog: 94027 Release Date: 05/04/2010   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Johann Sebastian Bach  ... 
    Performer:  Sara Crombach,  Vladislaw Warenberg,  Klára Würtz,  Martijn van den Hoek  ... 
    Conductor:  Bohdan Warchal,  Robert Haydon Clark,  Enrique Bátiz,  Mark Ermler  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Early Music Consort of London,  New York Harp Ensemble,  London Baroque  ... 
    CD: $24.99
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  • 22.
    Bach Handel 300 / Graziano Mandozzi
    Bach Handel 300 / Graziano Mandozzi
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 415110 Release Date: 02/25/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  George Frideric Handel,  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Graziano Mandozzi
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  • 23.
    Essential Bach
    Essential Bach
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 95424 Release Date: 02/23/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Philip Pickett,  Catherine Latham,  Iona Brown,  William Bennett  ... 
    Conductor:  Eugen Jochum,  Sir Neville Marriner,  Yehudi Menuhin,  Wolfgang Gönnenwein  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
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  • 24.
    Essential Baroque
    Essential Baroque
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 95429 Release Date: 02/23/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi,  Johann Pachelbel,  George Frideric Handel,  Tomaso Albinoni  ... 
    Performer:  Yehudi Menuhin,  Wayne Marshall,  Gerald Finley,  William Bennett  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  Sir Charles Mackerras,  Stephen Cleobury,  Sir David Willcocks  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Camerata Lysy,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  Early Music Consort of London  ... 
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  • 25.
    Send In The Clowns / London Brass
    Send In The Clowns / London Brass
    Label: Teldec   Catalog: 4686174 Release Date: 01/11/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Stephen Foster,  Julius Fucik,  Jan Koetsier  ... 
    Performer:  Andrew Crowley,  Mark Bennett,  Robert Farley,  Anne McAneny  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Brass
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