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During His Childhood
Ever since Johann Sebastian Bach was a child, he was devoted to music. When he was young, he mastered how to play the organ and violin, and was also an excellent singer. When he was 10, both of his parents died within a year of each other. Johann Sebastian Bach was fortunate to be taken in by an older brother, Johann Christoph, who most likely continued to teach him about music. He was also a boy soprano in Lüneberg. -
Born
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Einsenach, Germany. His father and mother were Johann Ambrosius Bach and Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt. He was the youngest of his eight older brothers and his oldest brother was 13 years older than him. -
His First Job
Johann Sebastian Bach became violinist in the private orchestra of the prince at Weimar in 1703 but left within a year to become organist at Arnstadt. -
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One Of His Most Important Pieces
Bach wrote one of his most popular pieces for the organ, "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," during his time at Weimar. -
Another Job
Bach went to Mühlhausen as organist in 1707. -
Married
When Johann Sebastian Bach went to Mühlhausen as organist in 1707, he married his cousin Maria Barbara Bach. -
His Third Job
In 1708, Johann Sebastian Bach was made court organist and chamber musician at Weimar. -
Another Piece
Another piece Bach composed was the cantata "Herz und Mund und Tat," or Heart and Mouth and Deed. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" in English, is one section of the cantata and is also especially famous. -
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Some More Jobs
Prince Leopold of Anhalt engaged him as musical director at Köthen in 1717. In 1723, he took the important post of music director of the church of St. Thomas, Leipzig, and of its choir school. -
His Wife Dies
In 1720, Johann Sebastian Bach's wife, Maria Barbra Bach dies. She was also his cousin. -
His Second Wife
In 1721, he married Anna Magdalena Wülken, a woman of considerable musical cultivation who eventually had 13 children with him. -
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His Last Notable Compositions
His last notable compositions were The Art of the Fugue composed in 1749 and the Musical Offering composed in 1747 for Frederick the Great. -
The Day He Died
Johann Sebastian Bach died in Leipzig. After Johann Sebastian Bach got a job in Leipzig, where he became organist and cantor (teacher) at St. Thomas' Church, he decided remained in Leipzig for the rest of his life.
