Transcript Johann Sebastian Bachx

Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)
Germany
Bach was a Baroque
Composer
Baroque music came before classical music.
Baroque composers were the first to arrange
music into scales, chords, and keys….so, they
invented the language of modern music.
Almost all musicians after Bach learned by
studying his music.
Mozart learned by studying Bach’s music.
Beethoven learned by studying Bach’s music.
A funky sounding German word:
Fortspinning!
Fortspinning! is a German word that describes
Baroque music. It means “spun out music,”
referring to an old fashioned spinning wheel
which never slows or stops.
Bach wrote music for the
harpsichord, the organ, singers,
and larger groups.
J.S. Bach or “Papa Bach”
Since Bach had 20 children, many
of whom became musicians, it is
important to be clear as to which
Bach we are discussing.
Bach listening test:
1. Cello Suite
clues: cello only; fortspinning quality
(bonus question: In this video clip, the
performer is YoYo Ma.)
2. Brandenburg Concerto
clues: begins with very, very high pitched
trumpet playing
fortspinning!
3. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
clue: organ only; “haunted house
music?”