Johann Sebastian Bach

Hello! My name is Johann Sebastian Bach. I was born a very long time ago, on March 31st, 1685, in a German town called Eisenach. In my family, music was like the air we breathed! My father, my uncles, my cousins—almost everyone was a musician. I grew up listening to violins, organs, and beautiful singing every single day. It was the best sound in the world!

When I was just ten years old, something very sad happened: both of my parents passed away. I went to live with my older brother, Johann Christoph. He was a wonderful organist, and he taught me so much more about music. I would practice for hours and hours, and sometimes I even secretly copied music by moonlight because I was so eager to learn everything I could.

When I grew up, I got a very important job as a musician. I played the giant pipe organ in churches, which made the most powerful and amazing sounds. I also worked for dukes and princes, composing special music for them to enjoy at their castles. Around the year 1721, I wrote a famous set of pieces called the 'Brandenburg Concertos.' For the last part of my life, starting in 1723, I lived in a city called Leipzig. There, I was in charge of the music for the city's main churches. I wrote new music almost every week!

I also had a big, musical family of my own. I had many children, and our home was always filled with music. We would often gather together to play and sing. A few of my sons, like Carl Philipp Emanuel and Johann Christian, even grew up to be famous composers, just like their father!

I lived to be 65 years old, creating music until the year 1750. Back then, I was mostly known as a great organ player. But many years later, people rediscovered all the music I had written. Today, my music is played by orchestras and musicians all over the world, and I am remembered as one of the greatest composers who ever lived. I hope my melodies make you feel happy, excited, or peaceful whenever you hear them.