Difference between revisions of "Johann Sebastian Bach"
(added works and quotes) |
m (fixed spacing) |
||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
<!--Uh-oh, both the old and newer articles I was hoping to merge here seem to have a lot of questionable content, no time to sort it out now.-- dpbsmith ---> | <!--Uh-oh, both the old and newer articles I was hoping to merge here seem to have a lot of questionable content, no time to sort it out now.-- dpbsmith ---> | ||
| − | |||
<!--A start. Everything that is NOT commented out is something I've made at least a cursory check on. --dpbsmith ---> | <!--A start. Everything that is NOT commented out is something I've made at least a cursory check on. --dpbsmith ---> | ||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
A master of polyphony, much of his music was religious in content, adhering, more specifically, to the [[Protestant]] [[Christian]] faith. Some of his works include the [[Mass]] in B-minor, the [[St. Matthew]] Passion, the Brandenburg concertos, the Well-Tempered Clavier A humble family man and God-fearing citizen of Weimer, ---> | A master of polyphony, much of his music was religious in content, adhering, more specifically, to the [[Protestant]] [[Christian]] faith. Some of his works include the [[Mass]] in B-minor, the [[St. Matthew]] Passion, the Brandenburg concertos, the Well-Tempered Clavier A humble family man and God-fearing citizen of Weimer, ---> | ||
<!--Prolific both in terms of his musical output and his offspring, Bach wrote more than three thousand opus numbers (half of which survive), and had an estimated two dozen children.---> | <!--Prolific both in terms of his musical output and his offspring, Bach wrote more than three thousand opus numbers (half of which survive), and had an estimated two dozen children.---> | ||
| − | |||
<!-- Uh-oh, deferring merge, too much seems questionable here, no time to sort it out now. | <!-- Uh-oh, deferring merge, too much seems questionable here, no time to sort it out now. | ||
'''Johann Sebastian Bach''' was a Baroque composer of Classical Music and pianist. He was well-known for his mastery of counterpoint, renowned as an organist and harpsichordist, and even gave his approval to an early model of the [[piano]]. Some of his most famous works are the "Passion | '''Johann Sebastian Bach''' was a Baroque composer of Classical Music and pianist. He was well-known for his mastery of counterpoint, renowned as an organist and harpsichordist, and even gave his approval to an early model of the [[piano]]. Some of his most famous works are the "Passion | ||
| Line 18: | Line 16: | ||
---> | ---> | ||
<!--Not the Diabelli Variations, that's for sure...---> | <!--Not the Diabelli Variations, that's for sure...---> | ||
| − | |||
Bach is considered to have been the "master of masters." He summed up his view of music as follows:<ref>http://www.americanminute.com/ (Entry for March 21, 2007)</ref> | Bach is considered to have been the "master of masters." He summed up his view of music as follows:<ref>http://www.americanminute.com/ (Entry for March 21, 2007)</ref> | ||
Revision as of 17:42, March 21, 2007
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) has been recognized as one of greatest composers of the Western classical music tradition since his "rediscovery" by Mendelssohn in the mid-1800s.
Bach was a devout Lutheran, and much of his music was religious in nature. Bach attributed the beauty of his music to God, by writing the letters "S.D.G." or "Soli Deo Gloria" in all of his scores.
Important works include: the Mass in B Minor, the St. Matthew Passion, the Brandenburg Concerti, the Musical Offering, the Art of Fugue, the Well-Tempered Clavier, the English and French Orchestral Suites, the Goldberg Variations, and numerous church contatas and organ works, notably the Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor and the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Some of his most famous pieces are drawn from the cantatas, including Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Sheep may Safely Graze.
Bach is considered to have been the "master of masters." He summed up his view of music as follows:[1]
- The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the
glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true music but a diabolical bawling and twanging.
In McCollum v. Board of Education (1948), Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson acknowledged the religious inspiration in great music:
- It would not seem practical to teach either practice or appreciation of the arts if we are to forbid exposure of youth to any religious influences. Music without sacred music would be incomplete, even from a secular point of view.
References
- ↑ http://www.americanminute.com/ (Entry for March 21, 2007)