Johann Sebastian Bach

Born: Eisenach, March 21, 1685

Died: Leipzig, July 28, 1750

    Throughout his distinguished musical career Bach composed huge amounts of sacred choral music, many concertos, sonatas, preludes, and fugues. Bach, was considered old-fashioned during his own time, and after his death his works were mostly ignored. However, in the 19th century his musical prowess was finally recognized and he went down as one of the greatest composers of all time.

    J.S. Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach. Bach's musical career began at age 15 when he became a choirboy at the Michaelskirche, Lüneburg. In 1703 he was appointed organist at the Neukirche, Arnstadt. Four years later, in 1707, he was appointed organist at the Mühlhausen. A year later he became the court organist at Weimer, a position he would hold for nine years. He then went on to serve Prince Leopold of Köthen as musical director. There he composed many of his most famous pieces, including the Brandenburg Concertos in 1721. In 1728 he became chief musical director for all of Leipzig, a position he held for most of his life. On July 28, 1750 Bach, then 65 years old, died in Leipzig.