Johann Sebastian Bach (pronounced
[joˈhan/ˈjoːhan zeˈbastjan ˈbax]) (March 21,
1685 O.S. – July 28,
1750 N.S.) was a prolific German composer and
organist whose sacred and secular
works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the
strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its
ultimate maturity. Although he introduced no new forms, he enriched
the prevailing German style with a robust contrapuntal technique, a control of
harmonic and motivic organisation from the smallest to the largest
scales, and the adaptation of rhythms and textures from abroad,
particularly Italy and France.
Revered for their intellectual depth and technical and artistic
beauty, Bach's works include the Brandenburg concertos; the
Goldberg Variations; the
English Suites, French Suites, Partitas, and Well-Tempered Clavier; the
Mass in B Minor; the St Matthew Passion; the
St. John Passion; The
Musical Offering; The Art of
Fugue; the Sonatas and Partitas for violin
solo; the Cello Suites; more than 200
surviving cantatas; and a similar number of
organ
works, including the celebrated Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.
While Bach's fame as an organist was great during his lifetime,
he was not particularly well-known as a composer. His adherence to
Baroque forms and contrapuntal style was considered
"old-fashioned" by his contemporaries, especially late in his
career when the musical fashion tended towards Rococo and later
Classical styles. A revival of
interest and performances of his music began early in the 19th
century, and he is now widely considered to be one of the greatest
composers in the Western tradition.