Essay Assignment: Exploring the Life and Legacy of a Music Composer **Objective:** This assignment aims to deepen your understanding of the impact and contributions of a music composer. You will explo

Exploring the Life and Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach

Date: 22nd OCT 2022

Exploring the Life and Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach

Introduction

One of the greatest composers in history is Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) especially in the context of Western classical music. Johann Sebastian Bach work can be defined through the Baroque period and his influence in evolution of modern music Bach during his prime produced numerous compositions that include concertos, instrumental suites, secular works that showcase his level of mastery of counterpoint, thematic development and harmony. His predecessors such as his devout Lutheran impacted his journey and the cultural context of 18th century in Germany (Rathey, 2022). In this spaces Bach held significant positions in courts and churches. Bach garnered himself modest reputation, however, his genius impact in music was recognised years later as his music became a pivotal point in the cannon of Western art music. In this case he became an inspiration to new composers from the classical to modern era.

As such, this essay will evaluate Bach legacy in music through his background, events of his composition journey, significant contributions, the cultural and historical context and its impact in his work. Moreover, we shall explore his innovations with a focus in the scope of polyphony and musical structures. Besides that, we shall explore his influence on later generations of composers such as Johannes Brahms, and Beethoven (Pirro, 2021). Eventually, this essay will reflect strategically on his legacy and impact on contemporary culture, classical culture thus his lasting remains in the history of compositions and music at large. Through this essay we shall get to appreciate the impact great composers had in music during their time and into modern world.

Biographical Background

Bach was born and raised in Eisenach Germany; this was on March 31, 1685. His family was recognised with strong attention to musical traditions. Bach’s father, Johann Ambrosius Bach was a musician at a time the director of town musicians, most of his relatives were also musicians holding different positions in music industry in spaces such as churches and courts (BACH, 2018). Growing in an environment of music shaped Bach’s music carrier from a young age. Schubert, (2018), Bach’s parents tragically died during his carrier beginning which made him move to live in Ohrdruf with his elder brother, Johann Christoph Bach. While living with his brother, he was guided through musical education and gained traction spontaneously thus gaining expertise in the organ and keyboard instruments (Cypess et al., 2023).

At the age of 18 in 1703, Back took his first professional steps by becoming a member of the court of Duke in Weimar. Schubert, (2018), points that Bach was able to deliver masterpiece after another thus gaining reputation as a skilled organist. During this period his career grew exponentially whereby he got some prestigious appointments, for example positions of an organist in Mühlhausen and Arnstadt. After several years of experience, he returned to Weimar in 1708 as a concertmaster and professional organist whereby he composed several masterpieces for the organ during his beginnings.

Back career kept on growing and in 1723 while in Leipzig he was appointed into the positions of a Cantor (Maul, 2017). Bach lived to hold this position for the rest of his life. During this period, his career was at its peak. He composed some of the widely known sacred music, for example the “Mass in B Minor” and “St. Matthew Passion” (Schubert, 2018). Cypess et al., (2023), Bach earned tremendous respect as an organist and teacher, but his compositional prowess was not fully recognised at that time. Bach sunset was on July 28th, 1750, leaving behind lasting and unique musical legacy.

Musical Contributions

Bach made vast and diverse contributions in music including literally every aspect of main genres of that time. Rathey, (2022), most of Bach’s celebrated contributions are primarily his instrumental contributions e.g., Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, and the Well-Tempered Clavier. Bach is known for his mastery in counterpoint as evidenced in his works, for example his intricate harmonic structures, complex fugues elaborate his unmatched skills in musical architecture (Pirro, 2021). Moreover, he was also prolific in composing vocal works in the niche of sacred music. For example, the Cantatas which he composed about 200 were meant for the Lutheran church. Other monumental sacred compositions are the St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion that integrated biblical texts alongside nuanced musical storytelling (Fuchs and Jenson, 2023). These sacred compositions reflect redemption and suffering.

One of his unique contributions in music was his ability to blend different musical style from different nations. For example, some of his compositions portray elements of French dance suites, Italian opera and Germany counterpoint into a creative, innovative one musical language (Schubert, 2018). This scenario is seen in the Brandenburg Concertos which he heavily borrowed from Italian concerto forms. On the other hand, the Orchestral Suites show elements of French dance rhythms. Fuchs and Jenson, (2023), “Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier*, a collection of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, stands as one of the most important works in the history of keyboard music”. This scenario elaborates his great potential in temperament tuning which a framework to embrace to modern generation of composers.

It is also worth noting that Bach’s music contributions were not merely his intellectual exercise but also an imbued sense of emotional resonance. In his work, one can identify a sense of drama and tension within his use of harmony and dissonance. In the context of his melodic lines one can identify lyrical and expressive prowess (Cypess et al., 2023). As such, the combination of intellectual rigor and emotional depth makes him stand out thus his music continues to be relevant to different audiences and subsequent composers.

Historical and Cultural Context

Bach lived towards the end of Baroque period. During the Baroque era there were significant shifts in religion, politics and cultures in Europe (Dai, 2023). For example, there was a period of war between 1618 to 1648 a few decades before Bach were born and it left many Germans homeless as the country was left in ruin, fragments of the aftermath as the country recollected through states and small principalities (Maul, 2017). The political atmosphere affected religious life too whereby Protestantism dominated the northern region especially the Lutheranism while Catholicism was strong in the south (Dai, 2023).

As such, this environment influenced Bach’s musical journey. However, his was more rooted into the Lutheranian theology. His Christian faith permeated into his music, for example the cantatas, passions among other monumental sacred works (BACH, 2018). For instance, we seen that he was at a time appointed in Leipzing as a Cantor of the Thomasschule whereby he composed several items for church services.  Among his religious compositions include but not limited to Chorale which was a staple worship item among protestants. Therefore, religion played a key role in his compositions as it was a vital base of his polyphonic settings.

In terms of culture, the Baroque period was characterised my audience growing interest in drama, emotions and contrast and Bach responded to this gap enormously. His works are evidenced by dramatic contrasts in the aspects of tempo, dynamics, and texture (Dai, 2023). He used dramatic and emotions traits in his music to convey religious ideas (Pirro, 2021). Moreover, there were also several absolute monarchies who employed composers such as Bach in courts to produce music for specified events. This made Bach an important figure in music among the wealthy families.

Innovations and Influence

Back mastery for polyphony cannot be overstated. He displayed a multifaceted ability to weave independent melodic lines into a cohesive masterpiece some of which remain unmatched. More so, his ability to use counterpoint in fugues is one of his impressive innovations (Pukelis, 2015). Works such as “The Art of Fugue” made Bach take fugues to a new level as he explored the structural possibilities to enhance it, for example, mathematical precision while adhering to musical expressiveness (Pirro, 2021).

 Bach is also associated with expansion of the harmonic language during his contemporary. He devised modulation and chromaticism, and the exploration of different keys whereby he pushed boundaries through the Well-Tempered Clavier (Cypess et al., 2023).  Among other composers, his music was foundational to the later period of classical music whereby he influenced subsequent composers such as Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart as they associated with his musical clarity and techniques in contrapuntal. In addition to his technical innovations, he was impactful in later Romantic composers who were inspired by his music in terms of quest for depth and complexity, for example Brahms and Wagner (Pirro, 2021).  Later composers such as Schoenberg and Stravinsky recognised his influence in music more so in aspects such as formal structures and their interest in counterpoint in 20th century.

Legacy

During his lifetime, his music was not widely recognised, however, his contributions gained reputations in 19th century. Bach’s recognition mainly through efforts of then composers such as Felix Mendelssohn who ignited the interest in St. Matthew Passion around 1829 (Fuchs and Jenson, 2023). Ever since, he was celebrated widely through his musical contributions especially in Western Classical music. As of today, his music is studied in different spaces in the society and performed. This shows how his music became important as an essential repertoire to his musicians and audience. His composition technique continues to motivate new composers from classical to modern society. His most adored skills are the technical mastery with ingredients of spiritual and emotional content. This has made his musical contribution to trickle down through generations. As such, compositions are a testament of lasting power in musical expression of human experiences be it churches, classrooms or concerts.

Conclusions

Johann Sebastian Bach was a great composer who left undeniable mark in the history of music. In Western Classical music he became a central figure owing to his abilities to combine different styles and his technical mastery of counterpoints. His sacred and secular compositions reflect the religious and cultural demands of that time. In this perspective, he integrated spiritual and emotions touch in his compositions creating nuanced emotional and intellectual possibilities in expressing human experiences. Despite his career being based in Germany, his impact transcends through history extending beyond boundaries to have a universal appeal. His innovations in counterpoint and harmony were a foundation for classical and romantic composers in later years.  As such his influence is felt in contemporary world. For example, it is taught in schools, played in concerts and churches. His style is evident in works of great composers such as Beethoven and Brahms. Bach successfully made established his name in music history and he continues to be an inspiration.

References

BACH, J. S. (2018). A MUSICIAN, NOT A THEOLOGIAN. Neither Voice nor Heart Alone: German Lutheran Theology of Music in the Age of the Baroque, 141. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=e_BGDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA141&dq=Bach%E2%80%99s

Cypess, R., Gomez, E., & Lansang, R. (Eds.). (2023). Historical Performance and New Music: Aesthetics and Practices. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=PlneEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA5&dq=Sebastian+Bach++-

Dai, Z. (2023). Study on the Influence of Bach and His Musical Works on the Development of Western Music. Transactions on Economics, Business and Management Research, 2, 5-10. Retrieved from https://wepub.org/index.php/TEBMR/article/view/269/261

Fuchs, M., & Jenson, B. (2023). Bach's St. John Passion for the Twenty-first Century: Musical and Theological Perspectives. Rowman & Littlefield. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=8f7SEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=most+of+Bach%E2%80%99s+Other+monumental+sacred+compositions+are+the+St.+John+Passion+and+St.+Matthew+Passion+that+integrated+biblical+texts+alongside+nuanced+musical+storytelling+&ots=wvvq27Btns&sig=yV5lCuAWP5pu-oxluCLu7m9HbqQ

Maul, M. (2017). 'Having to Perform and Direct the Music in the Capellmeister's Stead for Two Whole Years': Observations on How Bach Understood His Post during the 1740s. Understanding Bach, 12, 37. Retrieved from https://bachnetwork.co.uk/ub12/ub12-maul.pdf

Pirro, A. (2021). Johann Sebastian Bach: The Harmonic Journey of a Musical Genius. Prabhat Prakashan. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=djCZDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP3&dq=Johann+Bach-+predecessors+such+as+his+devout+Lutheran+impacted+his+journey+and+the+cultural+context+of+18th+century+in+Germany+&ots=6pQ20PYx_O&sig=yKrKRrPz3jDC7Ev7az8FOfipKOY

Pukelis, N. (2015). Magical techniques and structuralism in Gonzalo Torrente Ballester's "La saga/fuga de JB" (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Chicago). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/openview/bb7a1d14b1b4cb7ab481dae5ff51ea34/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750

Rathey, M. (2022). Bach in the World: Music, Society, and Representation in Bach's Cantatas. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=KemREAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Johann+Bach-+predecessors+such+as+his+devout+Lutheran+impacted+his+journey+and+the+cultural+context+of+18th+century+in+Germany+&ots=RK0QtocKEd&sig=uybwPPmKpqJYn3tpS9UAeuQEjL4

Schubert, J. E. (2018). The Solo Organ Works of Jean-Jacques Grunenwald: Style Analysis and Context within the Twentieth-Century French Organ Culture (Doctoral dissertation, The Claremont Graduate University). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/openview/447582504b875db827a4231b04b2e0c4/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y