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Born on March 8th, 1714 in Weimar
-German Classical period influential music composer.
-Son of Johann Sebastian Bach and Maria Barbara Bach.
-Works were between the late Baroque and early Classical era.
-Mainly composed for flute, harpsichord, piano, clavichord, and oboe. -
He entered the St. Thomas School, Leipzig
-Entered st.thomas school in leipzig a 10 years old
-Trained in music by his father -
Entered the University of Leipzig
-Pursued advanced studies in jurisprudence at University of Leipzig -
Entered the University of Frankfurt
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Obtained his law degree
-He obtained his degree in law at age of 24, but never practiced it
-Immidiately turned his attention to music -
Graduated and moved to Berlin
-Appointed as harpsichordist for Frederick the Great
-Gave him time to compose -
Became a member of the Royal Orchestra
-Became one of the foremost clavier players in Europe
-Compositions included about 30 sonatas and concert pieces
-Promoted to post of chamber musician in 1746 -
Married Johanna Maria Dannemann
-Married the daughter of a Berlin wine merchant
-Had 3 children together
- Anna Carolina Philippina Bach, Johann August Bach, and Johann Sebastian -
Sonata in A minor for Solo Flute, Wq 132
-Written in 1747, published in 1763
-One of the most significant works for unaccompanied flute during the Classical Era
-Utilizes a mix of Baroque and Galant Style, which is an elegant homophonic style of music -
Period: to
Symphony in E minor, Wq 178
-Written in 1756, and was published in 1759
-2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 horns, strings, & continuo
-3 movements
-Unexpected contrasts of the texture and tonality of the music
-Features characteristics of the classical era -
He moved to Hamburg
-Bach relinquished his permission to succeed his godfather as director of music
-Named court composer for Frederick's sister, Princess Anna Amalia
-Turned more of his energies to ecclesiastical and choral music -
Die Israeliten in der Wüste
-One of his first compositions in Hamburg
-Remarkable for its great beauty
-Oratorio based on the Old Testament story of the pain and suffering of the Israelites in the desert -
Period: to
Wrote a number of compositions
-Wrote twenty-one settings of the Passion, litanies, and motets, and seventy cantatas
-Choral output reached its apex in two works: Heilig and The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus
-3 performances in Vienna -
The 'Pianist's Bible'
- One of bach's greatest achievement was not creating music but writing the pianist's bible, "An Essay on The True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments"
- Bach broke the tradition in allowing, even encouraging, the use of thumbs (previously, it was a big no)
- Provides technical advice about ornamentation, improvisation, and the importance of correct fingering
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Died in Hamburg on December 14th, 1788
-Died as a highly respected and revered composer.
-Major influence on the next generation of composers, including Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.