Johann Sebastian Bach, composer

Born: March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, Germany

Died: July 28, 1750 in Leipzig, Germany

Studied: with his father, Johan Ambrosius, who taught him the violin and trumpet, and with Johann Pachelbel

Assignments: 1700: chorister at the Michaelis monastery in Lüneberg; 1703-07: organist at the Neuekirche in Arnstadt; 1708: court organist and orchestra leader for the Duke of Sachsen-Weimar; 1717: Kapellmeister at Cothen; 1723: Kantor at the Thomas School in Leipzig

Best known for: The Well-tempered Clavier, a collection of 48 fugues and preludes which essentially standardized the practice of equally tempering keyboard instruments; also widely known for his works for unaccompanied violin and cello, his concerti, cantatas, and oratorios, among others

Notable compositions: Well-tempered Clavier, 1722; Easter Oratorio, 1725; St. Matthew Passion, 1727; Christmas Oratorio, 1734-35; Jesu, meine Freude, 1735; Mass in B Minor, 1748-49

Quote: The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. — J.S. Bach