The Early Years (1685–1703)
Born on March 31, 1685, in Eisenach, German composer Johann Sebastian Bach hailed from a long lineage of musicians. By the age of 10, Johann was an orphan and lived with his brother, Johann Christoph, who had a major influence on him.
The Weimar and Köthen Periods (1703–1723)
Bach served as a court musician in Weimar and later as Kapellmeister in Köthen. It was during this period that he composed many of his orchestral suites and concertos.
The Leipzig Years and Final Works (1723–1750)
Spending the last decades of his life in Leipzig, Bach composed a great number of choral works, including the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B Minor. He passed away on July 28, 1750.