Historical Meaning and Issues of Johann Sebastian Bach (Essay Sample)

Johann Sebastian Bach
Name
Institution
Johann Sebastian Bach
Introduction
History recalls Johann Sebastian Bach as one of the most polished German musician and composer during the Baroque age. Bach’s exceptional talent in counterpoint, motivic organization and harmonic stood him apart among his peers as a musician with an enduring promise (Wolff, 2001). He was especially gifted in borrowing from French and Italian influences to enrich his German musical forms. In particular, Bach was adept at using rhythms and forms in ways that brought out a unique technical command, intellectual depth and aesthetic flourish in his music. His reputation as a gifted organist endured throughout the eighteenth century and beyond. In various respects, Bach retains a commanding influence in the history of music composition because of his exceptional insight that reflected his depth of comprehension and ability to weigh into the music tastes of his generation. He is highly regarded as a crucial accessory of baroque music.
Johann’s contribution to music is considered as transformational in the sense that he gave new forms to the existing forms of music and broadened the possibilities of composition in ways that were unlike what the eighteenth century German society had known. In certain biographical accounts, Johann is considered as a pioneer of multiple compositions, which were largely regarded as exceptional in terms of detail and scope of insight (Venetia, 1998). In this respect, Bach’s illustrious talents and depths of insight provided the springboard upon which future composers based their art. He projected the growth of music composition beyond his culture and time. To a certain degree, Bach demonstrated the capacity for artists to see beyond the guiding structures of their time in order to experiment with new forms that reflected the ingenuity of their skill and the advantage of originality. Through the placement of his composition beyond his immediate culture and time, Bach lay the ground for its continuity.
Historical Meaning and Issues
In his compositions and music, Bach was overly concerned with the social afflictions that imperiled the European society of the eighteenth century (Venetia, 1998). He was deeply obsessed with exploring the tragic nature of human existence. His composition and music captured these matters in stark details as he explored new ways of emphasizing on the frailties of human nature and their vulnerability in the face of the consistencies of fate. Some of themes that predominate in Bach’s music include sacrifice, suffering, and anguish. Most European societies were faced with different forms of suffering that resulted from invasions, famine, and enormous damage caused by natural calamities. Massacres, purges, and plunders were the order of the day as the leaders of the time sought ways of expanding their territories. The disorder that reigned during his day provided the background that defined the nature, style, and depth of his composition.
Bach’s music has strong religious overtones that revealed his nature as a deeply religious person. Bach devoted a lot of his time on church activities where he had found his calling as a gifted singer and choir composer. Most of his compositions were meant for choir audiences even though he developed them with a profundity that surpassed normative expectations. His nature was consistent with the realities of the time, which was largely conditioned by the overwhelming influence that religion imparted on the people. Bach made a living out of his compositions and choir activities. In 1703, Bach was appointed in the position of chief court musician of Duke Johann Ernst III’s chapel in Weimar (Wolff, 2001). He served as the chief organist of St. Blasius’s Church in the city of Muhlhausen in 1706 (Wolf, 2001). His elder siblings had also held important positions in the church as gifted musicians. Generally, Bach was an influential voice in the church because of his great talents.
Life and Creative Way
Only in a large historical perspective do we realize the wonderful inconsistency between Bach’s creative scale and his modest life fate. He always had to reckon with limited opportunities in the performing of his music and with insignificant possibilities for the publication of his masterpieces. Bach had gone through all of those things, having no complaisance, no pragmatism, fully immersed into his creative ideas, independent even from performing possibilities.
Bach was born and raised in Eisenach, a town in the duchy of Saxe-Eisenach. Biographical accounts indicate that Bach’s primary influence in music derived from the influence of his family. The family was held in high repute because of the exceptional talents that reflected among different members. In particular, Bach’s father, Johann Ambrosius Bach and his elder brother, Johann Christoph Bach had a lot of influence in the eventual rise of Bach as a musician and composer of great renown (Wolff, 2001). His father taught him the harpsichord and the violin whereas his elder brother taught him the fine skills of the clavichord. Bach’s brother also introduced him to contemporary music. From that point, Bach’s steady rise to stardom was guaranteed.
Other biographical accounts hold that the combined advantages of a family tradition that aligned with the arts and Bach’s own ambition pushed him to the heights of excellence (Wolff, Mendel & David, 1999). Bach had a surpassing desire for self-education and sought ways in which he could enhance his general approach in music with remarkable success. Generally, most of the goals he desired in life were established within the estimation of his ambition. Moreover, Bach was driven by the possibility of participating in a musical performance. He sought every opportunity that could help him bring the skills he had learned at home and school into full performance.
Acceptance in School
The shaping of Bach as a phenomenal composer took a firmer turn when he was accepted in St. Michael’s School located in Luneburg. The school was widely known for its sense of prestige and for attracting students from the aristocracy. It was also here that he met resourceful composers such as his teacher Geog Bohm, who sharpened his skills in the organ. The school also gave him great opportunities of witnessing the performance of great composers such as the famous organ player Johann Adam Reincken (Wolff, Mendel & David, 1999). Apart from the learning experience that he received at St. Michael’s School, Bach had a chance of getting a wider experience of European culture. He acquired a depth of understanding about Europe’s cultural diversity, which enabled him to get deeper insights into the forms of art in relation to social duty.
Organ and Choir Director
Bach’s role as an organ and choir director began with an invitation to St. Boniface Church, which is situated in Arnstadt. The authorities at the church wanted Bach to inspect the church’s new organ. It was during the invitation that Bach gave his inaugural recital, which was received with profound approval. In 1703, Bach took the position of the organist at the church. The terms of service were fair with some elements of privilege (Wolff, 2001). Biographical accounts show that the role involved both musical and menial tasks. Later, he fell out with the authorities because he thought that the choir he had been given was of poor quality. On the other hand, the authorities questioned Bach’s sense of discipline and dedication because of his frequent absence from Arnstadt. The degeneration of the fallout eventually culminated into his departure. In 1706, he was offered a new engagement as an organist at St. Blasius’s Church i...