Music Through the Ages Thursday, January 7th

Objectives Policies and Procedures signatures due Tuesday Bach’s Early Years Happy Wednesday!

Johann Sebastian (J.S.) Bach German born Composer Born in Eisensach Known mostly as an Organist and later became known as one of the Greatest composers. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Terms Toccata – is a virtuoso piece of music typically for keyboard or plucked stringed instrument featuring fast moving, lightly fingered or otherwise virtuosic passages or sections. Fugue – a contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successfully taken by others and developed by interweaving the parts.

Where has Bach worked? Weimar, 1703 Arnstadt, Mühlhausen, Weimar, Köthen, Liepzig,

A Map of Bach’s Adventures

Weimar take 2 Became Konzertmeister (director of music) Focused primarily on composing keyboard and string works Many of the keyboard works were put into a collection called The Well- Tempered Clavier Eventually fell out of favor and was jailed for some time, left Weimar

Köthen Hired by Prince Leopald as Kapellmeister (director of music) Leopald was not religious so Bach wrote most of his secular music during this time. From this time some of his most recognizable music is written. i.e. Brandenburg Concertos, Cello Suites, and Orchestral Suites

Liepzig Years Considered by many to be his most significant years of musical output Was appointed Thomaskantor. This position was extremely prestigious and included teaching classes at the Thomasschule at the Thomaskirche. This also included serving four different churches in Leipzig: Thomaskirche, Nikolaikirche, Neue Kirche and Peterskirche. Composed many of his motets and passions during this time.

Leipzig Works cont. Most significant works include: St. Matthew Passion St. John Passion Air on a G String Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Awake, calls the voice to us)

Thomaskirche

Nikolaikirche

Neue Kirche Destroyed in a bombing in 1943

Peterskirche