The Passion and Joy of J.S. Bach
Week One: Bright Beginnings and the Organ Whizkid

Born: March 21, 1685 in  Eisenach, Germany
Youngest of eight children
Orphaned at age 9, Assistant organist at 10
Age 14: Awarded scholarship to St. Michael’s School in Luneberg
Age 18: First job as court musician in Weimar: violinist, keyboard player
Later in 1703, organist in Arntadt
1706: Organist in Mullhausen
1707: Married Maria Barbara Bach
Seven children between 1710-1720; three died in infancy
1708- Returned to Weimar as organist and music director
1717: Jail and unfavorable dismissal for "too stubbornly" tendering his resignation
1717-1723: Cothen appointment for Prince Ludwig- the happiest post of his life 

Terminology:
Major Key- a bright, light or sparkling sound palette (think white wine or champagne)
Minor Key- a darker, often more somber and complex sound palette (think red wine)
Clavier- any of the keyboard instruments of Bach’s time: organ, harpsichord, clavichord or the emerging (forte) piano
Polyphony- Literally meaning “many voices”, a style of composition that is dense, with each part having its own “melody”
Suite- a collection of dance-inspired instrumental pieces, including the following:
Allemande- Gentle, lyrical dance in 4/4 time
Courante (or Corrente)- "running" , more virtuosic and extroverted dance
Sarabande- Of scandalous Spanish origin, a dance of love and seduction in slow 3/4 time with an emphasis on the second beat
Gigue- Fast and breathless ( like a Jig), often in 6/8 time
Gavotte- Playful, spritely with an up-up-down gesture

Passacaglia- A piece  (like a Canon or Chaconne) in which a bass pattern is repeated over and over without interruption for the duration of the piece while other "voices" weave variations and embellishments on top.
 

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MIchael Lawrence has made a delightful film that showcases Bach's  universal  Bach and Friends (preview, right) showcases the diverse talents and common appreciation of  30 composers and musicians  including Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Bobby McFerrin, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Philip Glass and Chris Thiele.

In the Passacaglia in c minor (left), Bach uses the same bass pattern in the foot pedals (bottom line) through the entire piece, a total of 21 repetitions in all. Follow this bassline all the way through the pieces, while marveling how this is ONE person playing the entire piece. Now imagine this: Bach was perfectly capable of improvizing such pieces for literally hours on end.