![]() When Johann Sebastian reached this North-German musical center, he was well received because of his uncommonly beautiful soprano voice, and was immediately appointed to the select body of singers who formed the 'Mettenchor' (Mattins Choir). Doubtless the two boys would have been given free food and accommodation in the many monasteries along the route. It is not known how they traveled most probably the journey would have been undertaken largely on foot, relieved where possible with a lift on a river barge or farmer's cart. In the Spring of 1700 Johann Sebastian set out with his schoolfriend, Georg Erdmann, who was also joining the choir, on the journey of a hundred and eighty miles north to Lüneburg. This was no doubt arranged by Elias Herda who had held a scholarship there himself. It was his excellent soprano voice that found Johann Sebastian a position in the choir of the wealthy Michaelis monastery at Lüneburg, which was known to provide a free place for boys who were poor but with musical talent. The scholars of the Gymnasium, as at Eisenach, were also employed as choir-boys, and their Cantor, Elias Herda, had a high opinion of Johann Sebastian's voice and musical capabilities. He made excellent progress in Latin, Greek and theology, and had reached the top form at a very early age. An anecdote tells how Christoph punished his young brother when he discovered he had copied a forbidden musical manuscript by moonlight over a period of six months, and confiscated the precious copy.ĭuring this period Johann Sebastian attended the Gymnasium (grammar school) of Ohrdruf, once a monastic foundation, which had become one of the most progressive schools in Germany. He also encouraged him to study composition and set Sebastian to copying music by German organist composers such as Jakob Froberger, Johann Caspar Kerll and Pachelbel. When a new organ was installed at the Ohrdruf church, Christoph allowed his young brother to watch its construction. Johann Sebastian at once settled down happily in this household studying the organ and harpsichord with great interest under his brother, and he quickly mastered all the pieces he had been given. Johann Christoph was an excellent teacher - all of his five sons were to reach positions of some eminence in music, and he was a keen student of the latest keyboard compositions. Johann Christoph, a former pupil of Pachelbel, was now well established as organist of the St. Johann Sebastian and one of his brothers, Johann Jakob, were taken into the home of their eldest brother, Johann Christoph (born l671) who had recently married and settled down at Ohrdruf, a small town thirty miles south-east of Eisenach. Barely nine months later his father also died. When he was only nine years old his mother died. At an early age Johann Sebastian lost a sister and later a brother. Roads were still unpaved in the smaller towns, sewage and refuse disposal poorly organized, and the existence of germs not yet scientifically discovered. The Lutheran spirit would have been strong in Eisenach, for it was in the Wartburg Castle standing high above the town, that Martin Luther, in hiding from his persecutors, translated the New Testament into German. He was described as having 'an uncommonly fine treble voice'. Georgenkirche, which gave Johann Sebastian an opportunity to sing in the regular services, as well as in the nearby villages. The boys of the school formed the choir of the St. When he was eight years old he went to the old Latin Grammar School, where Martin Luther had once been a pupil he was taught reading and writing, Latin grammar, and a great deal of scripture, both in Latin and German. Sebastian was a very willing pupil and soon became extraordinarily proficient with these instruments. He was also initiated into the art of organ playing by his famous uncle, Johann Christoph Bach, who was then organist at the Georgenkirche in Eisenach. Here young Johann Sebastian was taught by his father to play the violin and the harpsichord. (The pleasant and informative "Bach Haus" Museum in Eisenach does not claim to be the original family home). The family at Eisenach lived in a reasonably spacious home just above the town center, with rooms for apprentice musicians, and a large grain store. For many years, members of the Bach family throughout Thuringia had held positions such as organists, town instrumentalists, or Cantors, and the family name enjoyed a wide reputation for musical talent. Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21st l685, the son of Johann Ambrosius, court trumpeter for the Duke of Eisenach and director of the musicians of the town of Eisenach in Thuringia. ![]() LEIPZIG 3: 1744-1750 - The Introspective Years LEIPZIG 2: 1729-1740 - The Collegium Musicum LEIPZIG 1: 1723-1729 - Cantor and Director of Music ![]() Jump to the different periods in Bach's life: ![]()
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