Profile of the Day: Johann Sebastian Bach

Posted March 31, 2022 by Amanda | No Comment

Does music run in your family? On March 31, 1685 (N.S.), composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany.

Image: Johann Sebastian Bach / Wikimedia Commons

Considered one of the greatest composers of all time, Bach had music in his blood. He came from a family of musicians, stretching back generations. Bach’s second great grandfather, Veit Bach, was a baker, miller, and founder of the Bach musical dynasty. He played the cittern and passed on his love for music to his son Johannes Bach, who became the first professional musician of the family and served as the town piper’s apprentice. Bach’s own father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was the director of the town musicians, and all of his uncles were also professional musicians.

Although Bach’s style and musical abilities were highly regarded during his lifetime, he was mainly known as an organist than a composer. It wasn’t until after his death when his music was rediscovered that he earned wide praise and recognition for his work. Today he is considered to be the best composer of the Baroque era and one of the most important figures in the history of classical music.

Explore Johann Sebastian Bach’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the composer.