Happy Birthday, Johann Sebastian Bach, Baroque Organist and Composer
March 21, 2010 by Lindsey Chapman During his lifetime Johann Sebastian Bach was better known as a virtuoso organist, harpsichordist and organ builder than as a composer. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the world began popularizing his work and building his reputation as one of the greatest composers of all time. J.S. Bach was born March 21, 1685, in Eisenach, Thuringia to Johann Ambrosius Bach and Elisabeth Lämmerhirt. He came from a large family of musicians on both parents’ sides. While little is known of Johann Sebastian’s musical education, he was undoubtedly a good student. By 1695, his parents were dead, and the young Johann Sebastian went to live with his older brother, Johann Cristoph, an organist taught by composer Johann Pachelbel . It’s likely that his brother gave Johann Sebastian his first formal music lessons. With a strong performance in school and a good singing voice, Johann Sebastian earned a place in a “poor boys” choir in 1700. By ...