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Short Name: | Johann Sebastian Bach |
Full Name: | Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750 |
Birth Year: | 1685 |
Death Year: | 1750 |
Johann Sebastian Bach was born at Eisenach into a musical family and in a town steeped in Reformation history, he received early musical training from his father and older brother, and elementary education in the classical school Luther had earlier attended.
Throughout his life he made extraordinary efforts to learn from other musicians. At 15 he walked to Lüneburg to work as a chorister and study at the convent school of St. Michael. From there he walked 30 miles to Hamburg to hear Johann Reinken, and 60 miles to Celle to become familiar with French composition and performance traditions. Once he obtained a month's leave from his job to hear Buxtehude, but stayed nearly four months. He arranged compositions from Vivaldi and other Italian masters. His own compositions spanned almost every musical form then known (Opera was the notable exception).
In his own time, Bach was highly regarded as organist and teacher, his compositions being circulated as models of contrapuntal technique. Four of his children achieved careers as composers; Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Chopin are only a few of the best known of the musicians that confessed a major debt to Bach's work in their own musical development. Mendelssohn began re-introducing Bach's music into the concert repertoire, where it has come to attract admiration and even veneration for its own sake.
After 20 years of successful work in several posts, Bach became cantor of the Thomas-schule in Leipzig, and remained there for the remaining 27 years of his life, concentrating on church music for the Lutheran service: over 200 cantatas, four passion settings, a Mass, and hundreds of chorale settings, harmonizations, preludes, and arrangements. He edited the tunes for Schemelli's Musicalisches Gesangbuch, contributing 16 original tunes. His choral harmonizations remain a staple for studies of composition and harmony. Additional melodies from his works have been adapted as hymn tunes.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Tunes by Johann Sebastian Bach (139)![]() | As | Instances | Incipit |
---|---|---|---|
[A Boy was born in Bethlehem] | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 2 | 11122 32177 34323 |
ACH BLEIB BEI UNS | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685 - 1750 (Arranger) | 9 | 33453 12343 21123 |
ACH GOTT UND HERR (17655 major) | J. S. Bach (Arranger) | 43 | 17655 67121 76765 |
[All is in Christ] | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 2 | 11345 54565 6767 |
SALZBURG (Hintze) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 115 | 51565 43554 32215 |
ALLEIN ZU DIR | Johann S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 2 | 37135 43235 43271 |
ES IST DAS HEIL | Bach (Composer) | 1 | 55557 65453 13456 |
ALLES IST AN GOTTES SEGEN | J. S. Bach (Adapter) | 7 | 11534 53133 23127 |
[Auf meinen lieben Gott trau' ich] | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 1 | 51234 55543 42234 |
ST. AUGUSTINE (51232) | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 12 | 51232 13554 32314 |
AUS TIEFER NOT (Luther) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 4 | 51565 34556 76532 |
[There's a song in the air] (Nevin) | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 1 | 55345 17655 5345 |
WAS GOTT TUT | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1756) (Composer) | 6 | 51234 54365 43321 |
BEHOLD THE LAMB (Bach) | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 3 | 56543 45256 52343 |
[Breite, Vater, deines Names Ehr'] | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 2 | 55123 54435 43223 |
BREMEN (51122) | Bach (Composer) | 1 | 51122 35443 32 |
CHAMBER MUSIC | J. S. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 51232 52343 5555 |
CHRIST DER DU BIST DER HELLE TAG | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Harmonizer) | 2 | 11321 34555 56765 |
CHRISTE, DER DU BIST TAG UND LICHT | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Harmonizer) | 1 | 13171 23213 33371 |
CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 14 | 54571 76553 45432 |
CHRISTUS, DER IST MEIN LEBEN (Vulpius) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 15 | 13234 53654 32356 |
GENEVAN 42 | J. S. Bach (Adapted, harmonized) | 10 | 12321 76512 34321 |
DANK SEI GOTT IN DER HÖHE (Gesius) | Johann Sebastian Bach (Arranger) | 8 | 53565 43323 22153 |
DARMSTADT (Fritsch) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 40 | 53215 56622 54321 |
[Das neugeborne Kindelein] | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 13 | 11154 35432 55676 |
DAS WALT' GOTT VATER | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 13 | 13553 12315 56717 |
SCHMÜCKE DICH | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 5 | 32123 54353 43213 |
DER GEIST | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 3 | 11155 66512 34322 |
DU FRIEDENSFÜRST, HERR JESU CHRIST | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 5 | 31235 44354 32233 |
EIN FESTE BURG | J. S. Bach (Arranged) | 45 | 11156 71765 17656 |
ERHALT UNS, HERR | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 61 | 13171 32134 45344 |
[Es glänzet der Christen inwendiges Leben] (34551) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 1 | 34551 77145 43213 |
LUTHER'S HYMN | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685 - 1750 (Harmonizer) | 8 | 11321 22313 45321 |
O EWIGKEIT | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 3 | 13455 67113 45543 |
FAITHFUL (Bach) | Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 25 | 55345 17655 53451 |
[Fight the good fight with all thy might] (Bach) | J. S. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | |
[Hilf, Herr Jesus, lass gelingen] | Bach (Composer) | 2 | 11554 32576 54432 |
WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 49 | 15315 66556 71766 |
OLD HUNDREDTH | J. S. Bach (Arranger) | 1 | 11765 12333 32143 |
[God, be merciful and gracious unto us] | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 2 | 57555 56544 35744 |
GOTT DER VATER WOHN UNS BEI | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 (Harm. based on) | 1 | 55671 17615 34321 |
WALTHAM | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 10 | 12351 76567 12321 |
GOTTLOB, ES GEHT NUNMEHR ZU ENDE | Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 23 | 31343 21233 36711 |
CONTRAST (German) | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 15 | 11513 13543 45543 |
HEINLEIN | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer (attributed to)) | 4 | 55123 45557 76655 |
HERR CHRIST, DER EINIG GOTTS SOHN | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Arranger) | 1 | 11321 76342 32111 |
HERR, ICH HABE MISGEHANDELT (Bach) | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 15671 23432 21321 |
HERR JESU CHRIST DICH ZU UNS WEND (13532) | J. S. Bach (Arranger) | 33 | 13532 34565 32117 |
HERR JESU CHRIST, DU HÖCHSTES GUT | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Harmonizer) | 2 | 11712 32112 25432 |
BRESLAU | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 1 | 11161 27667 12567 |
HERR NUN LASS IN FRIEDE | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 1 | 55671 17771 23323 |
PASSION CHORALE (Hassler) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 285 | 51765 45233 2121 |
HERZLIEBSTER JESU | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685 - 1750 (Harmonizer) | 17 | 11175 12334 22345 |
HEUT' TRIUMPHIERET GOTTES SOHN | Joh. Seb. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 1 | 33454 32333 32321 |
NUREMBURG (Schop) | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 2 | 51565 43554 32212 |
[Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts] (Bach) | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 (Ascribed to) | 4 | 53215 65177 65565 |
[Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts] (55543) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 1 | 55554 32345 54321 |
HOSANNA (Bach) | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 3 | 53215 65123 54321 |
[Hush, my dear child, lie still and slumber] | J. S. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 3 | 11334 45557 65443 |
GEIST DES GLAUBENS, GEIST DER STÄRKE (Podola) | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 1 | 34554 32234 53221 |
[Ich bin ja, Herr, in deiner Macht] | J. S. Bach (?) (Composer) | 2 | 12234 31554 3217 |
ICH HALTE TREULICH STILL | J. S. Bach (Composer (attr.)) | 30 | 53156 55234 32123 |
ICH STEH AN DEINER KRIPPEN | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 11 | 51231 76573 23455 |
IN DIR IST FREUDE | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Adapter) | 3 | 55431 55431 54321 |
IN DULCI JUBILO | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Harrmonizer) | 3 | 11134 56551 13456 |
IPSWICH (Bach) | I. S. Bach (O) | 2 | 12432 35617 6543 |
JEJUNIA | Johann S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 2 | 56715 51757 65671 |
JESU, DER DU SELBSTEN WOHL | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 3 | 31223 45234 32212 |
JESU, MEINE FREUDE (Crüger) | J. S. Bach (Adapted, harmonized) | 38 | 55432 11556 7171 |
JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT (Crüger) | J. S. Bach (Arranger) | 7 | 54367 11767 15434 |
MEINEN JESUM LASS ICH NICHT (Hammerschmidt) | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 1 | 55667 71221 17665 |
KOMM, SÜSSER TOD | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 17655 32177 |
[Land of our birth! we pledge to thee] | J. S. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 15543 23455 35453 |
LAUS DEO (Bach) | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 3 | 15654 32171 25671 |
[Liebster Herr Jesu, wo bleibst du so lange] | J. S. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 54322 56543 32533 |
LIEBSTER IMMANUEL | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 15 | 33321 71654 37751 |
LIEBSTER JESU (Ahle) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 33 | 31253 12176 12321 |
LOBT GOTT IHR CHRISTEN | Johann S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 22 | 15555 65432 34566 |
EISENACH (Gesius) | J. S. Bach (Adapted, harmonized) | 52 | 13455 43256 71766 |
MEIN JESU, DEM DIE SERAPHINEN | Seb. Bach (Composer) | 2 | 56712 32113 23176 |
MEINE HOFFNUNG | Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Adapter and Harmonizer) | 2 | 17123 21255 776 |
MEINHOLD | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 15 | 33354 43332 34321 |
[O hjertens ve] | Johann Sebastian Bach (Arranger) | 1 | 53323 11755 56543 |
NEUMARK | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 15 | 51232 12757 77651 |
NUN DANKET | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Harmonizer) | 1 | 55566 53432 32155 |
NUN FREUT EUCH | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 2 | 11514 32112 43267 |
NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 17 | 11732 12113 43453 |
NUN LASST UNS GOTT | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 3 | 11761 21112 7517 |
INNSBRUCK | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 68 | 32123 54334 5523 |
NUREMBERG (Ahle) | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 1 | 31253 12111 12321 |
NURNBERG | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 8 | 51271 65432 123 |
O GOTT DU FROMMER GOTT (51712) | Johann Sebastian Bach (Harmonizer) | 12 | 51712 33432 17551 |
O JESULEIN SÜSS | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Arranger) | 23 | 11712 71765 32211 |
O HERZENSANGST | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 2 | |
O JESUS, DEIN KREUZ | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 12312 71556 717 |
OLD 113TH | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Arranger) | 1 | 11231 34554 32134 |
O MENSCH, SCHAU JESUM CHRISTUM AN | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 2 | 11116 55232 17655 |
O TRAURIGKEIT | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 1 | 53127 11755 56543 |
[Object of my first desire] | J. S. Bach (?) (Composer) | 2 | 51712 32231 43223 |
[Of Thee, Jehovah, is our singing] | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 2 | 51323 16451 42124 |
[One thing's needful! then Lord Jesus] | Joh. Seb. Bach (Composer) | 2 | 32125 13217 56543 |
PHUVAH | John Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 1 | 13234 54354 3212 |
POTSDAM | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 56 | 12432 15617 65346 |
POUR RÉPONDRE (Bach) | Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 2 | 55435 43225 67665 |
PROTECTION (Bach) | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 2 | 14565 45313 32144 |
RINKART (Bach) | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Composer (melody and figured bass)) | 11 | 53211 76534 56 |
CHRISTOPHER (Peter) | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Harmonizer) | 1 | 12345 17123 34431 |
ERMUNTRE DICH | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 46 | 11234 55453 43232 |
SEBASTIAN (Freylinghausen) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 5 | 32433 21332 34432 |
NICHT SO TRAURIG (Bach) | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer (attributed to)) | 23 | 32154 32347 1 |
SEGNE UNS | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 7 | 34551 23671 3545 |
WACHET AUF (Nicolai) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 82 | 13555 56551 51232 |
SO GIEBST DU | Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 7 | 35435 43323 57655 |
[So wünsch ich mir zu guter Letzt] | Johs. S. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 51236 54325 12321 |
SPIRES | Bach (Harmonizer) | 3 | 12321 71232 13445 |
ST. ALBAN (Haydn) | J. S. Bach (Arranger) | 1 | 33221 55566 24433 |
ST. ANNE | J. S. Bach (Arranger) | 1 | 53651 17151 5645 |
KOMM, O KOMM, DU GEIST DES LEBENS (Bach) | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 1 | 31251 27567 11223 |
ST. THEODULPH (Teschner) | Johann S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 18 | 15567 11321 17151 |
[Chant] (Tonus Peregrinus 54654) | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Plainsong setting) | 1 | 54654 34413 21 |
BATTY (123234) | Bach (Composer) | 1 | 12323 45365 43223 |
VATER UNSER | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 45 | 55345 32155 47534 |
KOMM, GOTT SCHÖPFER | Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 56545 12115 71233 |
VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS (Plainsong) | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 1 | 56545 65122 11561 |
VERLEIH UNS FRIEDEN | J. S. Bach, 1685-1750 (Harmonizer) | 2 | 11171 23213 44345 |
FRÖHLICH SOLL (Crüger 11212) | Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 1 | 11212 34434 564 |
WAS MEIN GOTT WILL | J.S. Bach (Arranger) | 9 | 57173 32332 1421 |
WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN | J. S. Bach (Arranger) | 1 | 51232 17666 51171 |
[We offer our gifts and ourselves] | Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750 (Composer) | 2 | 35432 34321 |
[We wait for the eternal light] | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 4 | 12321 12321 54322 |
WE'LL WALK IN THE LIGHT | J S Bach (Arranger) | 1 | 35533 21333 6532 |
WERDE MUNTER | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 35 | 34554 32234 54321 |
[When along life's thorny road] | J. S. Bach (Composer) | 3 | 54323 21755 64543 |
WIE WOHL IST MIR (Bach) | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 2 | 13453 65643 17645 |
JESU KREUZ, LEIDEN UND PEIN | Johann Sebastian Bach (Adapter) | 6 | 32123 45654 32135 |
[Wo ist mein Schäflein, das ich liebe] | J. S. Bach (1685-1750) (Composer) | 2 | 56713 65431 23256 |
GÖTTINGEN | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 1 | 11234 55543 42234 |
VOM HIMMEL HOCH | J. S. Bach (Harmonizer) | 30 | 17675 67111 55345 |
ZUM FRIEDEN | Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | 9 | 53116 56543 65432 |