Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Biography, Music, The Magic Flute ...
His most famous compositions included the motet Exsultate, Jubilate, K 165 (1773), the operas The Marriage of Figaro (1786) and Don Giovanni ( ...
Johann Sebastian Bach’s
“The miracle which God let be born in Salzburg” was Leopold’s description of his son, and he was keenly conscious of his duty to God, as he saw it, to draw the miracle to the notice of the world (and incidentally to profit from doing so). In mid-1763 he obtained a leave of absence from his position as deputy Kapellmeister at the prince-archbishop’s court at Salzburg, and the family set out on a prolonged tour. They went to what were all the main musical centres of western Europe—Munich, Augsburg, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Mainz, Frankfurt, Brussels, and Paris (where they remained for the winter), then London (where they spent 15 months), returning through The Hague, Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon, and Switzerland, and arriving back in Salzburg in November 1766. In most of these cities Mozart, and often his sister, played and improvised, sometimes at court, sometimes in public or in a church. Leopold’s surviving letters to friends in Salzburg tell of the universal admiration that his son’s achievements aroused. In Paris they met several German composers, and Mozart’s first music was published (sonatas for keyboard and violin, dedicated to a royal princess); in London they met, among others, Johann Christian Bach, <anchor>Johann Sebastian Bach’s</anchor> youngest son and a leading figure in the city’s musical life, and under his influence Mozart composed his first symphonies—three survive (K 16, K 19, and K 19a—K signifying the work’s place in the catalog of Ludwig von Köchel). Two more followed during a stay in The Hague on the return journey (K 22 and K 45a).
Johann Sebastian Bach | Biography, Music, Death, & Facts | Britannica
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[Johann Sebastian Bach](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach)

Table of Contents


- [Introduction & Top Questions](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach)

- [Life](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12095)



- [Early years](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12096)

- [The Arnstadt period](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12097)

- [The Mühlhausen period](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12098)

- [The Weimar period](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12099)

- [The Köthen period](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12100)

- [Years at Leipzig](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12101)

  - [Symbolism](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12102)

  - [Nonmusical duties](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12103)

  - [Instrumental works](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12104)

- [Last years](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach#ref12105)

- [Reputation and influence](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach/Reputation-and-influence)



- [Revival of music](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach/Reputation-and-influence#ref12107)

- [Editions of Bach’s works](/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach/Reputation-and-influence#ref12108)

[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](/facts/Johann-Sebastian-Bach)

[Images & Videos](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach/images-videos)

[![Johann Sebastian Bach](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/114461-004-55247C77/Johann-Sebastian-Bach-oil-canvas-Elias-Gottlieb-1746.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/114461-050-E9206DB5/Johann-Sebastian-Bach-oil-canvas-Elias-Gottlieb-1746.jpg)[![Bach, Johann Sebastian](https://cdn.britannica.com/89/190989-004-3D71704C/Johann-Sebastian-Bach.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/89/190989-050-2AE16312/Johann-Sebastian-Bach.jpg)[![Bach, Johann Sebastian](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/101841-004-48479402/monument-Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Eisenach-Germany.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/101841-004-48479402/monument-Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Eisenach-Germany.jpg)

For Students


[![Johann Sebastian Bach](https://cdn.britannica.com/61/114461-050-E9206DB5/Johann-Sebastian-Bach-oil-canvas-Elias-Gottlieb-1746.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/summary/Johann-Sebastian-Bach)

[Johann Sebastian Bach summary](/summary/Johann-Sebastian-Bach)

Quizzes


[![(Left) Ball of predictions with answers to questions based on the Magic 8 Ball; (right): Rubik's Cube. (toys)](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/254407-131-F27C44C4/ball-of-predictions-and-Rubiks-Cube.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/the-dating-game-which-came-first)

[The Dating Game: Which Came First?](/quiz/the-dating-game-which-came-first)

[![Illustration of musical notes. classical music composer composition. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, history and society, music notes](https://cdn.britannica.com/03/136303-131-B005A386/notes-Illustration-classical-music-composer-composition-blog-2009.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/composers-their-music)

[Composers & Their Music](/quiz/composers-their-music)

[!["Self-Portrait with Straw Hat (verso: The Potato Peeler)," oil on canvas by Vincent van Gogh, 1887. In the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. 40.6 x 31.8 cm.](https://cdn.britannica.com/80/96380-131-DBA491C6/Self-Portrait-canvas-Straw-Hat-Vincent-van-Gogh-1887.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/almost-forgotten-artists-quiz)

[Almost-Forgotten Artists Quiz](/quiz/almost-forgotten-artists-quiz)

[![Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart rehearsing his 12th Mass with singer and musician. (Austrian composer. (Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)](https://cdn.britannica.com/38/154338-131-518608F9/some-Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart-classical-music-pieces.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/quiz-who-composed-it)

[Quiz: Who Composed It?](/quiz/quiz-who-composed-it)

Related Questions


- [What was Johann Sebastian Bach’s childhood like?](/question/What-was-Johann-Sebastian-Bachs-childhood-like)

Read Next


[![Macro of sheet music](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/199840-131-F5176574/Macro-sheet-music.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/10-classical-music-composers-to-know)

[10 Classical Music Composers to Know](/list/10-classical-music-composers-to-know)

[![Vincent Van Gogh, Self Portrait. Oil on canvas, 1887.](https://cdn.britannica.com/55/115955-131-8AAC7E2F/Vincent-Van-Gogh-Self-Portrait-Oil-canvas-1887.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/6-rediscovered-artists)

[Rediscovered Artists: 6 Big Names That Time Almost Forgot](/list/6-rediscovered-artists)

Discover


[![Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.](https://cdn.britannica.com/58/152058-131-0EB52C8F/Ostriches.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/6-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-birds)

[6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds](/list/6-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-birds)

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[First Day of Fall](/story/first-day-of-fall)

[![A group of diverse individuals, who represent various occupations, stand with their arms raised in the air. labor day; laborers; construction worker; teacher; nurse; doctor; assistant; office staff; blue collar; workforce](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/239640-131-052DF02A/diverse-group-occupations-workforce.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)

[Why Is Labor Day Celebrated in September?](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)

[![Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada,  2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/134913-131-D9520745/Ice-Sledge-Hockey-Canada-Cup-USA-ice-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/10-best-hockey-players-of-all-time)

[10 Best Hockey Players of All Time](/list/10-best-hockey-players-of-all-time)

[![Andrew Jackson delivering a speech while on his way to Washington, D.C., for his inauguration in 1829. From Harper's Weekly, 1881.](https://cdn.britannica.com/94/182194-131-A1441287/Andrew-Jackson-town-supporters-inauguration-way-1829.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/5-remarkably-close-us-presidential-elections)

[5 Remarkably Close U.S. Presidential Elections](/list/5-remarkably-close-us-presidential-elections)

[![The Colosseum, Rome, Italy.  Giant amphitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. (ancient architecture; architectural ruins)](https://cdn.britannica.com/36/162636-131-E4AA93A0/Colosseum-Rome-Italy.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/new-seven-wonders-of-the-world)

[New Seven Wonders of the World](/list/new-seven-wonders-of-the-world)

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[Presidential Debate Bingo](/story/presidential-debate-bingo)


Contents


[Entertainment & Pop Culture](/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture)[Music, Classical](/browse/Classical-Music)

# Johann Sebastian Bach

German composer



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Written by


[Robert L. Marshall\
\
Emeritus Professor of Music, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Author of _The Compositional Process of J.S. Bach._](/contributor/Robert-L-Marshall/1916)

Robert L. Marshall,

[Walter Emery\
\
Director, Novello and Company Ltd., London. Specialist on the work of Bach. Author of _Bach's Ornaments._](/contributor/Walter-Emery/855)

Walter Emery• [All](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach/additional-info#contributors)

Fact-checked by

[The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica\
\
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated:

Jul 24, 2024
• [Article History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Sebastian-Bach/additional-info#history)


Table of Contents


Quick Facts

Born: March 21 \[March 31, New Style\], 1685, [Eisenach](/place/Eisenach), Thuringia, Ernestine Saxon Duchies \[Germany\]_(Show more)_

Died: July 28, 1750, [Leipzig](/place/Leipzig-Germany) (aged 65)_(Show more)_

Notable Works: [sinfonia](/art/sinfonia-music)[“Brandenburg Concertos”](/topic/Brandenburg-Concertos)[“Christmas Oratorio”](/topic/Christmas-Oratorio-by-Bach)[“Fugue in E-flat Major”](/topic/Fugue-in-E-flat-Major)[“God Is My King”](/topic/God-Is-My-King)[“Hunt Cantata”](/topic/Hunt-Cantata)[“Jesu meine Freude”](/topic/Jesu-meine-Freude)[“Mass in B Minor”](/topic/Mass-in-B-Minor)[“Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor”](/topic/Passacaglia-and-Fugue-in-C-Minor)[“St. John Passion”](/topic/St-John-Passion)[“St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244”](/topic/St-Matthew-Passion-BWV-244)[“Three-Part Inventions”](/topic/Three-Part-Inventions)_(Show more)_

Movement / Style: [Baroque music](/art/Baroque-music)_(Show more)_

Notable Family Members: son [Wilhelm Friedemann Bach](/biography/Wilhelm-Friedemann-Bach)son [Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach](/biography/Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach)son [Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach](/biography/Johann-Christoph-Friedrich-Bach)son [Johann Christian Bach](/biography/Johann-Christian-Bach)_(Show more)_

[See all related content →](/facts/Johann-Sebastian-Bach)

Top Questions


### Why is Johann Sebastian Bach important?

Johann Sebastian Bach is regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. He is celebrated as the creator of many masterpieces of church and instrumental music. His compositions represent the best of the [Baroque era](https://www.britannica.com/art/Baroque-music).

### What did Johann Sebastian Bach compose?

Johann Sebastian Bach composed over 1,000 pieces of music. Some of his most famous work included the [_Brandenburg Concertos_](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brandenburg-Concertos), [_The Well-Tempered Clavier_](https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Well-Tempered-Clavier-BWV-846-893), and the _Mass in B Minor_.

### What was Johann Sebastian Bach’s childhood like?

Johann Sebastian Bach was born into a musical family. Orphaned before he turned 10 years old, he was looked after by his eldest brother, an organist who gave him his first [keyboard](https://www.britannica.com/art/keyboard-instrument) lessons. Bach did well at school, and he was selected for a choir of poor boys at the school in Michaelskirche, [Lüneburg](https://www.britannica.com/place/Luneburg-Germany), [Germany](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany).

### When did Johann Sebastian Bach get married?

On October 17, 1707, Johann Sebastian Bach married his cousin Maria Barbara Bach at Dornheim. After Maria died Bach married Anna Magdalena Wilcken, the daughter of a trumpeter at Weissenfels, on December 3, 1721.

### What were Johann Sebastian Bach’s children’s names?

Johann Sebastian Bach had 20 children, 7 with his first wife and 13 with his second wife. Only 10 of them lived to adulthood. Several of his sons, including [Wilhelm Friedemann](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wilhelm-Friedemann-Bach), [Carl Philipp Emanuel](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach), and [Johann Christian](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Christian-Bach), who was called the “English Bach,” were also composers.

**Johann Sebastian Bach** (born March 21 \[March 31, New Style\], 1685, Eisenach, Thuringia, Ernestine Saxon Duchies \[Germany\]—died July 28, 1750, Leipzig) composer of the Baroque era, the most celebrated member of a large family of north German musicians. Although he was admired by his contemporaries primarily as an outstanding harpsichordist, organist, and expert on organ building, Bach is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time and is celebrated as the creator of the _Brandenburg Concertos_, _The Well-Tempered Clavier_, the _Mass in B Minor_, and numerous other masterpieces of church and instrumental music. Appearing at a ...(100 of 6291 words)

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