How many of the approximately 295 cantatas that J. S. Bach wrote are still in existence? Bach's function in the orchestra was mainly as a violinist, however he also played the harpsichord and occasionally wrote or arranged some of the music. The main service finished at about mid-day, after which there followed a communion service. True or false: Monteverdi's only attempt at writing opera, Orfeo, failed because opera had not yet become popular. Fasch's group ultimately fell to the direction of Johann Gottlieb Grner, the director of music at the University and a constant musical rival of Bach's. The Sunday services began at 7a.m, with a motet, hymns, and an organ voluntary. Look at these two sample music resume experience sections: Perfect. Return to top of page This comfortable security of position combined with the fact that Bach had established, during his first six or seven years' tenure, a more than sufficient repertoire of cantatas (it has been suggested that he composed in total some 300), allowed him to widen his musical scope of activity. It may perhaps have been these circumstances which led Bach to revive an old invitation to produce what are now known as the Brandenburg Concertos. An objective shows passion. However, new conflicts soon arose when Bach, citing a clause in his contract, refused to work any longer with the undisciplined boys' choir which he had been required to train for the sake of Council economy. 5, I 116 27 Bach, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, II 121 28 Bach, Wachet auf, ruft uns. Presumably, instrumental music was heard, ranging from clavier solos through sonatas to orchestral works. In these last years of his life, Bach's creative energy was conserved for the highest flights of musical expression: the Mass in b minor, the Canonic Variations, the Goldberg Variations, and of course the Musical Offering displaying the art of canon. This led to disputes with Bach who particularly wanted more time to train his choirs and musicians. Former contacts made in Weimar were now useful; the Duke of Weimar offered him a post among his Court chamber musicians, and on June 25, 1708, Bach sent in his letter of resignation to the authorities at Mhlhausen, stating very diplomatically that not only was he finding it difficult to keep a wife on the small salary agreed to on his arrival, but that he could see no chance of realizing his final aim, namely the establishment of a proper church music 'to the glory of God'. Moreover the death of Johann Kuhnau, Cantor of the Thomasschule at Leipzig in June 1722 opened the possibility of an appointment for Bach at Leipzig, perhaps more attractive to him than Berlin. Bach did not try to justify himself, which further annoyed the Council, and so they attempted to diminish his income. These concerts were serious events, given outside of the regular coffee shop hours, and were thus not merely an ornament to the usual culinary attractions. Many of Leipzig's most famous musicians were connected with the students' musical activities (among them several Thomaskantors) and contributed music of the highest quality. He also came under the influence of French instrumental music when, through his great proficiency on the violin, he played at the Court of Celle, 50 miles south of Lneburg. This led to disputes with Bach who particularly wanted more time to train his choirs and musicians. Not least was his employer, the Duke of Sachsen-Weimar, one of the most distinguished and cultured nobles of his time. Indeed, the word "concert" began to be used expressly in connection with the Collegium during its later years. Two cataract operations were performed on his eyes, in March and Apri1 1750, and their weakening effect was aggravated by a following infection which seriously undermined his health. The school of St Thomas was situated on the western wall of the town, not far from the imposing Pleissenburg fortress with its large tower on the south-western corner of the town wall. LEIPZIG 2: 1729-1740 - The Collegium Musicum The libretto of Bach's cantata Wachet auf. The last great Triple Fugue of the Art (Contrapunctus XI) may also have been written during his final days. 1113 by Artaria in 1785, and Mozart and his father added figuration themselves to several of the concertos, such as the third piano part of No. Despite their renown, the Mozart piano concertos are not without some detractors. In 1733 Bach petitioned the Elector of Saxony in Dresden for an official title, enclosing copies of the Kyrie and Gloria from the b-minor Mass; though unsuccessful, Bach tried again this time with the backing of his Dresden patron Count von Keyserlingk. (This incomplete fugue, normally appended to the Art of the Fugue in performances, has no discernible connection with the Art of the Fugue, though the Art of Fugue theme can be made to fit, as Gustav Nottebohm pointed out in 1880.) In December 1721, Anna Magdalena and Bach married, she at the age of 20, and he 36. There are for example some musicological errors in the scores - hardly something Bach would permit were he seriously dedicating music to a dignitary, particularly with the hope of prospective employment. Bach's many arias featuring oboe obbligato attest to the presence of a good oboist among the town's wind players (possibly Reicha himself?). He cancelled his evening concert and invited Bach straight up to try his new fortepianos built by Bach's organ-builder colleague and friend Gottfried Silbermann. Check. In the case of more important occasions he would compose the entire cantata himself. By way of acknowledgment Bach presented a two-hour recital on the new Silbermann organ in the Frauenkirche (tragically destroyed in the Second World War and now being actively rebuilt). Hoffmann incidentally also built a viola pomposa, a tenor of the violin family, to Bach's orders. Indeed the city was nicknamed 'Athens on the Pleisse', and offered many attractions for the summer holiday-makers in its well cared-for parks and pleasure gardens beside the river Pleisse and its idyllic surrounding countryside. One was established in 1702 by the redoubtable Georg Philipp Telemann; the other was begun six years later, by Johann Friedrich Fasch. A fast, energetic movement followed by a slow, solemn movement. The most noteworthy indication however is the missing middle movement of the third concerto. The Sunday services began at 7a.m, with a motet, hymns, and an organ voluntary. It is on record that the Council reprimanded Bach in August 1730 for leaving his teaching duties in the overworked hands of his junior colleague, Petzold; for not properly disciplining his choirs, and for his frequent unauthorized journeys away from Leipzig. It may be assumed by the presence of the near-legendary Gottfried Reicha among them both as wind and string player, and after 1719 their "senior", that they were players of a high standard. Occasionally, too, vocal music might be given; such an example is the Coffee Cantata, BWV 211, first presented in 1732. He was also freely permitted to study the fine library of music in the Gymnasium, which included some of the best examples of German church music. Indeed, the word "concert" began to be used expressly in connection with the Collegium during its later years. Which are examples of improvisatory forms? Johann Sebastian at once settled down happily in this household studying the organ and harpsichord with great interest under his brother, and he quickly mastered all the pieces he had been given. Bach then became a member of the Mitzler society, a learned society devoted to the promotion of musical science, whose members were expected on joining to display some token of their learning. However, the authorities at Hamburg would not release Telemann, and so the candidature was left pending. Hoffmann incidentally also built a viola pomposa, a tenor of the violin family, to Bach's orders. The bones were laid to rest in a stone sarcophagus next to the poet Gellert in the vaults of the Johanniskirche, and many people went to pay homage to this tomb until the church was destroyed by bombs in WW2. Though contemporary newspaper reports stated that the incoming Cantor's apartments were "newly renovated", the building itself, dating from 1553, was however, in a somewhat dilapidated condition; discipline was practically non-existent, the staff quarreled among themselves, and the living conditions were unhealthy. You dont have to be Steve Reich to write a musician resume thats molto vivace. More on Gottfried Silbermann, organ builder Works? He had invented so comfortable a fingering that he could master the most difficult parts with perfect ease (using 5 fingers instead of the then normal 3). That this is in fact the case may be explained by recalling the educational customs of Bach's time. Why? Bach was buried in St John's Cemetery which stood one block outside the town's Grimma Gate in the early morning of July 31, and in the absence of any tombstone his grave was soon forgotten. WEIMAR (second term): 1708-1717 The city would have lost Bach if his friend Gesner had not intervened on his behalf. Adjacent to the Thomas Schule was the narrow St Thomas gate (Thomaspfrtchen) set in the town wall with a small bridge over the town's moat leading to a popular walk bordered with lime trees which followed the town wall between the moat and the Pleisse river. flute, cello, mandolin. The concerts were given on Zimmermann's premises, probably under his auspices. Return to top of page There is no doubt whatsoever that he was widely respected as a composer, musician, teacher, organist, and specialist in organ construction. Unfortunately, a quarter of the whole town had recently been devastated by fire; it was difficult for him to find suitable dwellings, and he was thus forced to pay a high rent. At the end of 1706, he heard that the organist to the town of Mhlhausen had died. Though contemporary newspaper reports stated that the incoming Cantor's apartments were "newly renovated", the building itself, dating from 1553, was however, in a somewhat dilapidated condition; discipline was practically non-existent, the staff quarreled among themselves, and the living conditions were unhealthy. did not compose. Bach made some very good friends at Weimar, among whom was the eminent philologist and scholar Johann Matthias Gesner, who expressed with great eloquence his admiration for the composer's genius. While awaiting the completion of the organ at Arnstadt, Sebastian was offered, and accepted the post of violinist in the small chamber orchestra of Duke Johann Ernst, the younger brother of the Duke of Weimar. He cancelled his evening concert and invited Bach straight up to try his new fortepianos built by Bach's organ-builder colleague and friend Gottfried Silbermann. One of Leipzig's most important features was its international commerce. He was asked to compose and perform cantatas for the Prince's birthday and the New Year; two each time, one sacred and one secular. After Bach had played on all the different instruments, moving with the King and musicians from room to room, Bach invited the King to give him a theme on which to improvise; Bach of course rose to the occasion, improvising at length and with amazing skill. We know that the stringed instruments used were maintained during the 1730s, and several of them built, by the celebrated Leipzig instrument maker (and Court Lute-maker) J C Hoffmann (Hoffmann's instruments are still in possession of and played in the Thomaskirche today). Bach may well have played any number of Silbermann's instruments, almost all of which were located in Saxony. But the atmosphere was no longer so pleasant. This renewal of the old disputes with the school and church authorities must have been a considerable discouragement for Bach; in any case it is apparent that from then on he appeared less and less eager to provide the Council with church music. He spent the last months of his life in a darkened room, revising his great chorale fantasias (BWV 651-668) with the aid of Altnikol, his pupil and son-in-law. The former were the standard performances; the latter were for special celebrations (king's birthdays and the like), and were usually marked by elaborate festive cantatas, with trumpets and drums in full splendor. The Bach family at that time comprised his wife and four children, of eight, nine, twelve and fourteen years of age. That same day he had a stroke, followed by a severe fever. Adjacent to the Thomas Schule was the narrow St Thomas gate (Thomaspfrtchen) set in the town wall with a small bridge over the town's moat leading to a popular walk bordered with lime trees which followed the town wall between the moat and the Pleisse river. By way of acknowledgment Bach presented a two-hour recital on the new Silbermann organ in the Frauenkirche (tragically destroyed in the Second World War and now being actively rebuilt). Rehearsals for the Sunday Cantatas took place on Saturday afternoons. Life at Cthen was informal and easy-going; in this happy atmosphere Bach's days were completely devoted to music. The next work, K. 537 (the "Coronation"), completed in February 1788, has a mixed reputation and possibly is the revision of a smaller chamber concerto into a larger structure. They were under the control of the Thomaskantor. While Bach did in fact delegate the composition of some recitatives and arias to his pupils, he would always set the tone by composing an opening chorus reflecting the scriptural theme of the week. At the opening speech, Gesner stressed the need for music within the foundation - which must have given Bach some hope for a brighter future in the school. When the Leipzig Trade Fair was in progress, the respectable town was transformed into a show-ground mixing business with pleasure, and was popular with members of the Royal Court of Dresden. He remained its director from 1729 until the death of Gottfried Zimmermann in 1741. Because to be honest, their interface is really to be reviewed (otherwise you would not be here). The merits of various candidates to succeed Kuhnau were considered, and the Council eventually nominated Georg Philipp Telemann. True/False: Handel composed in all genres except opera. They press the mute button on skimming. The next concerto, K. 456 in B, was for a long time believed to have been written for the blind pianist Maria Theresa von Paradis to play in Paris. For this the Council further reprimanded him and also added the complaint that he had been "entertaining a strange damsel" to music in organ loft of the church. A part of this valuable material was lost in WWII and is therefore of especial value. Consequently musicians of the first household were forbidden to fraternize with those of the second. At the opening speech, Gesner stressed the need for music within the foundation - which must have given Bach some hope for a brighter future in the school. He used to say for fun 'Above all I must know whether the organ has a good lung', and, pulling out all the stops he produced the largest sound possible, often making the organ builders go pale with fright. Listen to the audio clip. Plus, see our guides: How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See, +20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them on Your Resume (Tips). Bach made some very good friends at Weimar, among whom was the eminent philologist and scholar Johann Matthias Gesner, who expressed with great eloquence his admiration for the composer's genius. He used to say for fun 'Above all I must know whether the organ has a good lung', and, pulling out all the stops he produced the largest sound possible, often making the organ builders go pale with fright. Bach, so his contemporaries frequently noted, would not even permit his performers to put in their own trills and elaborations; he would certainly not have left an entire movement to the whim of some distant performer about whose capabilities Bach knew nothing. From the window of his study (Componierstube) on the first upper floor of the Thomasschule, Bach would look out west over the town wall, to a magnificent view of the surrounding gardens, fields and meadows, a view about which Goethe later wrote "When I first saw it, I believed I had come to the Elysian Fields". Which baroque French composer was a child prodigy and harpsichordist? The orchestra used for the cantatas consisted of up to 20 players. The new instrument would certainly have had two, possibly three manuals, and may have been the work of the famous Hamburg builder Hass similar to his 1740 instrument with three manuals and five choirs of strings (2', 4', 8', 8' and 16'). The regular concerts were probably free. Citation Information Though contemporary newspaper reports stated that the incoming Cantor's apartments were "newly renovated", the building itself, dating from 1553, was however, in a somewhat dilapidated condition; discipline was practically non-existent, the staff quarreled among themselves, and the living conditions were unhealthy. Please see our other unique historical documents on JS Bach listed below. The music of Chiara Margarita Cozzolani was, The text setting of Strozzi's Sleepyhead, Cupid! The orchestra used for the cantatas consisted of up to 20 players. Bach's function in the orchestra was mainly as a violinist, however he also played the harpsichord and occasionally wrote or arranged some of the music. if you are seeking a similar gig in audio. Dont use [email protected]. At this, Bach was bitterly disappointed, for he had lately been doing most of the Capellmeister's work, and had confidently expected to be given the post. The Court Orchestra consisted of about 22 players: a compact string ensemble, a bassoon player, 6 or 7 trumpeters and a timpanist. In particular, Bach had become famous, not only as an organist and improvisator, but as an expert in organ construction. Unfortunately however, Gesner left Leipzig in 1733 to take up an appointment as professor at the University of Gttingen. WEIMAR (first term): 1703. Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. Please feel free to quote or extract from our work; a credit or link is courteous and always appreciated. Bach did his best to ignore what was, after all, merely an extension of a private quarrel. This he did, and some time in 1709 he came over to inaugurate its first performance. WEIMAR (second term): 1708-1717 After a few years, Bach declared that it was inadequate and should be rebuilt. Presumably, instrumental music was heard, ranging from clavier solos through sonatas to orchestral works. More on Gottfried Silbermann's fortepianos At an early age Johann Sebastian lost a sister and later a brother. His last great work is the complete summary of all his skill in counterpoint and fugue; methods which he perfected, and beyond which no composer has ever been able to pass. The scholars of the Gymnasium, as at Eisenach, were also employed as choir-boys, and their Cantor, Elias Herda, had a high opinion of Johann Sebastian's voice and musical capabilities. The orchestra used for the cantatas consisted of up to 20 players. Adjacent to the Thomas Schule was the narrow St Thomas gate (Thomaspfrtchen) set in the town wall with a small bridge over the town's moat leading to a popular walk bordered with lime trees which followed the town wall between the moat and the Pleisse river. Organ pupils came to him from far and wide, and he was asked to test or dedicate many organs in various towns. One particularly special performance of a work by Bach was recorded in some detail: the cantata known as the Trauerode, BWV 198. The permission came on October 12th, but Bach must have had Gottsched's text a few days before. Bach did not attempt to justify himself before what must have seemed to him a group of narrow minded and conservative old gentlemen; yet the Council, knowing how skilled his playing was, decided to treat their young and impetuous organist with leniency. His stay here was short, but he was to return later. Select all the statements that apply to the early baroque Italian cantata. This renewal of the old disputes with the school and church authorities must have been a considerable discouragement for Bach; in any case it is apparent that from then on he appeared less and less eager to provide the Council with church music. Bach had overworked in poor light throughout his life, and his eyesight now began to fail him. Bach made some very good friends at Weimar, among whom was the eminent philologist and scholar Johann Matthias Gesner, who expressed with great eloquence his admiration for the composer's genius. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) This fiery Redheaded Priest is one of the finest examples of composers of the Baroque period. As a result he was frequently asked to advise on new organ specifications and to test newly completed instruments with a thorough and detailed examination and report, as was the custom of the time. Mozart's own ability to improvise was famous, and he often played from very sketchy piano parts. During the winter, the group played every Friday night, from 6 to 8pm, in Zimmermann's coffee house on the Catherine Strasse, centrally placed close to the Marktplatz. Return to top of page A 'second' choir, of the same size but less ability, would sing at the church without the cantata. Sebastian was a very willing pupil and soon became extraordinarily proficient with these instruments. Much is often made in current biographical notes, of Bach's disputes with the Council. internet arton publications, OHRDRUF: 1695-1700 Bach then became a member of the Mitzler society, a learned society devoted to the promotion of musical science, whose members were expected on joining to display some token of their learning. One of his prize possessions in the late 1720s was "a clavcymbel of large size and range of expressivity" which was a Leipzig attraction in itself. A further visit to Leipzig after the 'Fall of the Wall' in 1996 yielded several antique books offering some interesting illustrations of Bach's Leipzig with full descriptions, the prize among them being a large format illustrated volume published in 1897 featuring line engravings of Leipzig's history selected and fully annotated by Dr Gustav Wustmann, at that time State Librarian and Director of the Leipzig City Archives. However, Bach left Hamburg for Cthen before the audition, presumably because the conditions there did not suit him. On a visit to Halle in 1713, during which he gave a trial cantata (probably BWV 21), he was invited to become organist in succession to Zachau, a composer well-known, and celebrated as Handel's early teacher. According to the program, the Ode was "set by Herr Bach in the Italian style." During 1717 a feud broke out between the Duke of Weimar at the 'Wilhelmsburg' household and his nephew Ernst August at the 'Rote Schlo'. Singing classes were held from 9 to 12 am on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Leipzig Council started looking around as early as June 1749 for a successor. The schedule of weekly performances, the composition of new works, rehearsing them, arranging programs, etc., reveals that the Collegium Musicum was no mere diversion for Bach. Return to top of page clarifying the names of Bach's ducal employers Bach applied for his dismissal at Cthen, and the Prince, regretting his departure but not wishing to stand in his way, quickly consented. His wife, Christiane Eberhardine, preferred her Lutheranism to her husband, however, so she renounced the throne and lived apart from him until her death on September 6th, 1727, an event which was deeply mourned in strongly Lutheran Saxony. During this period he was fortunate in meeting Georg Bhm, organist of the Johanniskirche at Lneburg, who himself had been a pupil of the famous organist Jan Adams Reinken in Hamburg, and was a friend of the Bach family in Ohrdruf. It was only after he had conducted eleven services up till Christmas 1725, that he discovered that the Cantor of Leipzig was no longer officially director of music in the University church, this position being given to the moderately talented organist of the Nikolaikirche.