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Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.5, third movement - EdexcelJohann Sebastian Bach

J.S. Bach came from a family of successful musicians and was one of the most prominent composers of the Baroque period, writing six concertos for the noblemen of Brandenburg. Bach took on the work in the hope for employment, but the concertos took a lot longer than expected.

Part of MusicInstrumental music 1700 to 1820

Johann Sebastian Bach

A black and white illustrated portrait of the composer J.S. Bach.
Figure caption,
Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was one of a long list of musicians in his family. After his parents died, Johann's eldest brother taught him the violin before studying other instruments. Bach was born in 1685, in Germany, and died in 1750.

He quickly became a successful and busy musician at a young age - winning scholarships as a , organist and violinist.

For the most part of his career, Bach worked as an organist and choirmaster at various churches throughout Germany. From 1723 he was employed by St Thomas' Church in the German town of Leipzig. This is where he composed a for every Sunday church service over the course of 17 years, including for the Christian festivals Christmas and Easter. Bach wrote over 1000 pieces of music in his lifetime.