Johann Sebastian Bach
1685-1750
Johann Sebastian Bach in considered one of the greatest composers of all time. His name certainly dominates the Baroque period. Although he did not write any works specifically for the classical guitar, which at that time was still in its infancy as an instrument, he did write for the lute, an instrument which bears uncanny resemblance to the guitar. Also, a lot of his works have been translated for the guitar thanks to masters such as Segovia.
One often hears praise for Bach as a composer and you’d be hard pressed to find and serious classical guitar school that does not impress the study of Bach’s compositions as essential to growth as a guitarist. But what makes Bach such a towering figure in classical guitar music, considering the fact that he did not personally write for the guitar?
The answer can be gleamed by analyzing his material. Bach’s sense of balance in a composition is impeccable and as such it forces the student or performer to dig deep and get a grasp the fundamentals of musicality. His compositions flow with a robustness and complexity that develops not only the playing skills of the musician but also his esthetic sense. One can start to become aware and master principles that transform simple playing into true musical art. No other composer seems to have done this better than Bach. In the quest to become a true musician, Bach – through his music – provides the “breakfast” of champions.
With all this said you would think that Bach was always appreciated for the genius he was. But it was not so.
Born in 1685, in Eisenach, he was the youngest of five children. His father, Ambrosius Bach was the director of the town musicians, or Stadtpfeifer. He was taught how to play the violin and harpsichord at an early age, and with a family full of musicians, he was introduced to the pipe organ.
At around age 10 both his parents died and the young lad had to move in with his oldest brother Johann Cristoph Bach, who also gave him instructions on the clavichord, and introduced him to works by great German composers at the time such as Johann Pachelbel. He was also probably exposed to works from French composers such as Jean-Baptiste Lully.
In 1703 he applied and failed an audition for an organist’s post at Sangerhausen, so he took up another post as court musician in the chapel of Duke Johann Ernst in Weinmar. His reputation as a keyboard player spread and in 1703 Bach moves on to a post of Organist at a church about 25 miles from Weinmar. Comforted by a better salary and relatively light duties, he embarks on composing organ preludes. But Bach had yet to reach his full abilities as a composer.
In 1708 Bach returns to Weinmar but this time his position is that of the court organist and concertmaster at the court. Bach spent a lot of time transcribing works by Italian composers such as Vivaldi and Corelli for the keyboard. As such he learned and adopted a lot of their techniques. At this point he begins writing his fugues. As a master of contrapuntal technique, Bach is well suited for this task.
“The Well Tempered Clavier (clavier meaning keyboard” is made up of two collections of preludes and fugues (one prelude and one fugue for each major and minor key) compiled in 1722 and 1744.
Bach then moves to yet another job, this time his employer is Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cothen. Since the Prince was a Calvinist, most of Bach’s musical output in this period is secular in nature.
Tragedy strike Bach as in 1720 his wife and mother of seven children dies. The following year Bach meets his new love interest, Anna Magdalena Wilcke, a soprano that was 17 years younger than him. They marries in December 1721 and had 13 more children.
In 1723 Bach is appointed Canotor of Thomasschole as well as the Director of Music in the principal churches in Leipzig. Here Bach really comes into his own as a composer and creates his greatest works.
But while Bach’s personal history is interesting, it should be noted that on a professional level Bach was never recognized for the genius he was. He certainly made his mark as a musical director and keyboard player, but within his lifetime the compositions did not gain the respect and status they enjoy today. Bach died in 1750 and the world soon seemed to forget him and his works.
The revived interest in Bach’s music came about partly as a result of Johann Nikolaus Forke’s 1802 biography of Bach, which was read by Beethoven. Perhaps the man most responsible for reviving interest in Bach’s works was Felix Mendelssohn. His performances of Bach’s compositions opened the “eyes” of the critics and the world towards Bach.
Bach has become a real treasure trove for the classical guitar. The instrument adapts itself quite nicely to either lute, violin or cello works. As such, Bach is essential for any classical guitarist that wants to develop as a musician. Not only that, but his works are fun to play and sound great on the guitar.