Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Johann Sebastian Bach spent most of his live in the area of Leipzig, where he worked as a cantor, organist and composer in the Lutheran church of St. Thomas.
There he composed his intricate masterpieces, many of them profoundly Christian and used in the services, like his numerous cantatas, masses or his "St. Matthew Passion".

Bach is mostly associated with his outstanding organ compositions and his unceasing use of contrapuntal structures. His music is both emotionally touching and technically refined.

Most of his compositions feature an underlying structure of almost mathematical clarity. Hence, a strong interest in the composition of Fugues. Famous examples: "The Well-Tempered Clavier" and "Art of Fugue".

Other masterpieces are the "Brandenburg Concerti" and the "Goldberg Variations for Harpsichord".
Under his guidance the St. Thomas Boy's choir gained an excellent reputation.