Jan Sebastian Bach

One of the greatest composers of classical music in the Baroque era. In addition to writing magnificent works, he was also an active musician. He mainly composed oratorios and passions, as well as organ music, orchestral pieces, and works for keyboard instruments.
Born in Eisenach in 1675, he had been involved with music since his early childhood, as his family had been associated with music for years. As a boy, he sang in the choir, played the violin in the chamber orchestra of Prince Johann Ernst de Weimar, and after moving to Arnstadt, he became an organist in the local church. He then began studying under the renowned Dutch organist and composer Dietrich Buxtehude and composed the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
In 1707, he returned to Weimar, where he became the concertmaster of the court orchestra and composed 30 cantatas, including the most famous one, considered his masterpiece, 'Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit.' He then became the conductor of the church choir and chamber music at the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen. During this time, Bach mainly composed secular and instrumental music, including solo works. The most important works from this period include the Brandenburg Concertos (six orchestral concertos composed for Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg) and the 'Air on the G String' from the Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major.
In 1723, the composer moved to Leipzig, where he created the rest of his outstanding works, including: 'Mass in B minor,' 'St. John Passion,' 'St. Matthew Passion,' 'Christmas Oratorio,' and 'Ascension Oratorio.' Bach is also known for composing the Prelude in C major, on which Charles Gounod based his melody for 'Ave Maria.' Bach died in 1750 in Leipzig.
His music is characterized by a fairly bold style for his era, however, his pieces were written in a masterful and accessible way with a complex language.

As an excellent example of organ music, we have decided to include the Toccata and Fugue in D minor performed by Kurt Ison.

We also recommend the piece 'Air on the G String' performed by Misha Quint.

And the same piece in a dance version. Performed by Hovedøen Social Club & Kringkastingsorkesteret (KORK).

Finally, something from the religious music of this outstanding composer - 'St. Matthew Passion' performed by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and soloists.

Bach contemporarily

Many J.S. Bach compositions have made their way into modern music - CameralMusic suggests a jazz rendition of the 'Air on the G String' by The Swingle Singers & The Modern Jazz Quartet

And finally, one of the best non-classical guitarists, Yngwie Malmsteen, incorporating elements of J.S. Bach's music into his solo performances: