What Made Bach Great? Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750

Rick Beato2 minutes read

Johann Sebastian Bach's legacy as a composer is characterized by divine beauty, mathematical precision, and innovative harmonic devices, showcased in monumental works like the well-tempered clavier and the Brandenburg Concertos. To fully appreciate Bach's greatness, one can listen to his compositions, such as the well-tempered clavier, and watch the documentary "A Passionate Life" by Sir John Eliot Gardiner for deeper insight into the composer's life and music.

Insights

  • Bach's music, characterized by divine beauty and mathematical precision, showcases sophisticated harmonic devices like major 7th chords and suspensions, evident in pieces like the cantata number 54 and the Johannes Passion, setting him apart as a groundbreaking composer of his time.
  • To grasp the magnitude of Bach's genius, exploring monumental works like the well-tempered clavier and delving into resources like the documentary "A Passionate Life" by Sir John Eliot Gardiner can provide invaluable insights into the depth and complexity of Bach's musical legacy.

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Recent questions

  • Who was Johann Sebastian Bach?

    A composer born in 1685 with a lasting musical legacy.

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Summary

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Bach's Musical Legacy: Divine Beauty and Precision

  • Johann Sebastian Bach, born in 1685 and died in 1750, left a musical legacy that continues to influence composers today, with his works expressing divine beauty and mathematical precision.
  • Bach's monumental works include the two books of the well-tempered clavier, the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the orchestral Suites, the mass in B-minor, and the art of fugue, among others.
  • Bach's music is known for its extraordinary use of harmony, with sophisticated harmonic devices like major 7th chords and suspensions that were ahead of their time, as seen in pieces like the cantata number 54 and the Johannes Passion.
  • To understand Bach's greatness, it is recommended to listen to his monumental works, such as the well-tempered clavier, and watch the documentary "A Passionate Life" by Sir John Eliot Gardiner for further insight.
  • For more music-related content and resources, viewers can subscribe to the Everything Music YouTube channel, visit the website for the Beato book, and join the Beato club for additional lessons, PDFs, and live streams.
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