Help
Skip to main content
Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach

Born: 31st March 1685, Eisenach

Died: 28th July 1750, Leipzig

Nationality: German

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his prolific output across a variety of instruments and forms, including the orchestral Brandenburg Concertos; solo instrumental works such as the cello suites and sonatas and partitas for solo violin; keyboard works such as the Goldberg Variations and The Well-Tempered Clavier; organ works such as the Schübler Chorales and the Toccata and Fugue in D minor; and choral works such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival, he has been widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music.

The Bach family had already produced several composers when Johann Sebastian was born as the last child of a city musician, Johann Ambrosius, in Eisenach. After being orphaned at age 10, he lived for five years with his eldest brother, Johann Christoph, then continued his musical education in Lüneburg.

Further Reading: Bach, J S

  • Minsoo Sohn on Bach

    19th Oct 2026by Matthew Ash

    In the wake of his Hyperion debut with the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier, the Korean-American pianist talks about the humanity and clarity of Bach's music, and the importance of asking 'Why?'.

  • Marc Sabbah on Bach for the viola

    7th Jul 2026by David Smith

    The violist talks about his new album, featuring his own transcriptions of JS Bach's iconic six suites for solo cello, BWV 1007-1012.

Popular Works: Bach, J S

All Works: Bach, J S

View download progress