Johann Sebastian Bach is indeed from Germany, and he is one of the most celebrated figures in the history of Western classical music. Born on March 31, 1685 (Julian calendar: March 21), in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany, Bach was a composer, organist, and violinist of the Baroque period. His contributions to music are immense and have had a lasting impact on the development of Western music.

Bach's family had a rich musical heritage, with several generations of musicians. His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was a violinist and town musician in Eisenach, and his mother, Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt, came from a family of musicians as well. This environment nurtured Bach's musical talent from a young age.

Bach's education and early career were marked by a rigorous study of music. He attended the St. Michael's School in Lüneburg, where he was exposed to a wide range of musical styles and techniques. After the death of his parents, Bach's brother, Johann Christoph Bach, took care of him and furthered his musical education.

Throughout his life, Bach held various positions as a musician and composer. He served as a court musician in Weimar and later in Köthen, where he composed some of his most famous works, including the Brandenburg Concertos and the St. Matthew Passion. In Leipzig, he worked as the Thomaskantor, a position that involved directing the music at the St. Thomas Church and the St. Nicholas Church. During his time in Leipzig, Bach composed a vast amount of sacred music, including the Mass in B Minor and the Christmas Oratorio.

Bach's music is characterized by its complexity, contrapuntal writing, and emotional depth. He was a master of fugue, a complex form of imitative counterpoint, and his works often display a profound understanding of harmony and voice leading. Bach's music also reflects his deep religious beliefs, as many of his compositions were written for the Lutheran church.

Despite his prolific output and mastery of various musical forms, Bach's fame was not as widespread during his lifetime as it is today. It was not until the 19th century, during the Bach Revival, that his music began to be recognized more broadly. The composer Felix Mendelssohn played a significant role in this revival by conducting a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion, which had been largely forgotten since Bach's death.

Since the Bach Revival, Johann Sebastian Bach has been regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. His music has influenced countless composers and musicians, and his works continue to be performed and studied around the world. Bach's legacy is a testament to his genius and the enduring power of his music.

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Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 -C 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. ... Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.read more >>