Born: 21 March 1685 · Died: 28 July 1750 · Age at death: 65
How old was Johann Sebastian Bach when he died?
Johann Sebastian Bach died aged 65. He was born on 21 March 1685 and died on 28 July 1750.
German Baroque composer of the Brandenburg Concertos, the St Matthew Passion and The Well-Tempered Clavier
Did you know?He once spent a month in prison because he was determined to quit his job and find a better position elsewhere.
Quick facts
Date of birth21 March 1685
Date of death28 July 1750
Age at death65
Cause of deathStroke
NationalityGerman
BirthplaceEisenach, Germany
Occupationcomposer, organist, harpsichordist
Editor's Take:
Johann Sebastian Bach spent most of his life as a hardworking church musician in German towns, and few in his lifetime realised he was one of the greatest composers who ever lived. He wrote music for every Sunday service, along with masterpieces such as the Brandenburg Concertos, the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. His command of counterpoint, weaving several independent melodies together into a perfect whole, has never been surpassed. After his death his music fell out of fashion until the composer Felix Mendelssohn revived it in 1829. Today musicians from jazz pianists to rock guitarists still study his work.
Key Milestones
1703: Takes his first organist post at Arnstadt
1717: Becomes music director at Köthen
1721: Presents the Brandenburg Concertos
1723: Becomes Thomaskantor in Leipzig
1727: Premieres the St Matthew Passion
1749: Completes the Mass in B minor
Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period.
He was cantor of St Thomas Church, Leipzig, for 27 years.
He wrote the Brandenburg Concertos and St Matthew Passion.
He died in Leipzig on 28 July 1750.
Career highlights
1708Weimar: court organist
1717Köthen: Kapellmeister
1721Brandenburg Concertos: dedicated
1723Leipzig: Thomaskantor
1727St Matthew Passion: premiere
Did you know?He had 20 children, several of whom became composers.
Age at death
65
Years since death
276
Family
Father
Johann Ambrosius Bach
Mother
Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt
Spouses
Anna Magdalena Bach, Maria Barbara Bach
Children
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Christian Bach, Catharina Dorothea Bach, Christian Gottlieb Bach, Christiana Benedicta Louisa, Christiana Dorothea Bach, Christiana Sophia Enrietta Bach, Elisabeth Juliana Friderica Bach, Ernestus Andreas Bach, Gottfried Heinrich Bach, Johann August Abraham Bach, Johann Christoph Bach
