As German family of musicians and composers, the Bachs achieved the height of their fame in the 17th and 18th centuries. Seven Bach generations achieved greater or lesser prominence in music from 1580 to about 1800. Of the group, Johann Sebastian Bach has been acclaimed as one of the giants of musical history.
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany, on March 21, 1685. Or-phaned when he was ten, he was cared for by his eldest brother. In 1700 he became part of a select choir of poor boys at the school of the Michaelskirche, Luneburg. He held various musical posts, including that of organist at Arnstadt (1703-07), at Muhlhausen (1707-08), and at Weimar (1708-17). He was kapellmeister (music director) at Kothen from 1717 to 1723.
…
