Johann Christoph Bach

Wikipedia Biographical Summary:

"...Johann Christoph Bach (6 December 1642 – 31 March 1703) was a German composer and organist of the Baroque period. He was born at Arnstadt, the son of Heinrich Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach's great uncle, hence he was Johann Sebastian's first cousin once removed. He was also the uncle of Maria Barbara Bach, J.S. Bach's first wife. He is not to be confused with Johann Sebastian Bach's son, Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach.

Johann Christoph had a reputation as a composer that was only equalled by that of Johann Sebastian within the Bach family during his lifetime. He was organist at Eisenach and later a member of the court chamber orchestra there. His brother, Johann Michael Bach (Johann Sebastian Bach's father-in-law and Maria Barbara's father), was also a composer. Some of the works were later attributed to Johann Sebastian, but were recently recognized as written by Johann Christoph. One of the most famous works is the cantata Meine Freundin, du bist schön, based on the Song of Solomon. His eldest son, Johann Nicolaus Bach, was also a composer.

Despite his success as a musician, Johann Christoph experienced financial difficulties, which may have resulted in his not having been selected as the guardian of Johann Sebastian when the latter's parents died. Johann Christoph was heavily in debt when he died at Eisenach...."

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Christoph_Bach

---

Organist, Composer. A first cousin, once removed, of Johann Sebastian Bach, he was in his time the most famous member of the musical Bach family, renowned throughout Germany for his virtuosity at the organ. Born in Arnstadt, he was taught music by his father and at age 20 was appointed organist of the Arnstadt Court Chapel. From 1665 until his death he served as organist of the Georgenkirche (St. George's Church) in Eisenach, and during his last three years was also the Duke of Eisenach's official chamber musician. Although he was greatly respected as an artist, Bach was frequently at odds with town and church officials over money matters and he died bitter and debt-ridden. Bach's compositions were relatively few but of high quality, particularly the 44 Preludes and Chorales for organ. J.S. Bach grew up listening to him play and called him "a profound composer"; some of the older man's works, including the motet "Ich lasse dicht nicht", were mistakenly attributed to the Baroque genius.

Bio by: Bobb Edwards