Johann Sebastian Bach

Part 2: Lüneburg, Weimar, Arnstadt and Mühlhausen 1700 - 1708

Previous Part 1: Eisenach and Ohrdruf: 1685-1700

NARRATOR:
At Lüneburg he was well received because of his uncommonly beautiful soprano voice, and was immediately appointed to the select body of singers who formed the 'Mettenchor' (Matins Choir). There he met Georg Bðhm, organist of the Johanniskirche at Lüneburg, who introduced him to the great organ traditions of Hamburg.

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 Lüneburg. Though distinctly German in its construction and outer appearance, Celle Castle was known as a 'miniature Versailles' for its rich interiors and musical tastes.
Celle Castle
Sebastian completed Latin school when he was 18, an impressive accomplishment in his day, especially considering that he was the first in his family to finish school.
Considerably enriched by his musical experiences, he decided he would try to find employment as an organist in his native Thuringia. So in January 1703, shortly after graduating he took up a post as a court musician in the chapel of Duke Johann Ernst in Weimar, a large town in Thuringia. He was housed in the Wilhelmsburg, an impressive castle, housing a museum, art gallery and a valuable library. But his job there was menial involving as much valeting as playing music. In the records of the Weimar court he is referred to as a lackey.
Wilhelmsburg Castle Weimar
During his seven-month tenure at Weimar, his reputation as a keyboard player spread. He was invited to inspect and give the inaugural recital on the new organ at St. Boniface's Church in Arnstadt - later known as the "Bach Church". The Bach family had close connections with this oldest town in Thuringia, about 40 km to the southwest of Weimar at the edge of the great forest.
Introduce Toccata and Fugue quietly under the following
Bach Church Arnstadt
In August 1703, at the age of only 18, he accepted the post of organist at that church, with light duties, a relatively generous salary, and a fine new organ tuned to a modern system that allowed a wide range of keys to be used. At this time, Bach was embarking on the serious composition of organ preludes. His famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is said to have been composed about this time.
Introduce Toccata and Fugue quietly under the following
However Sebastian was alienated by the boastfulness of some older choir members, already in their twenties. One evening in 1705 in his third year at Arnstadt, he and his cousin Barbara Catherina Bach were walking home, when they met six students sitting on a wall. Suddenly Geyersbach, a bassoon player jumped up holding a stick:
Interior Bach Church
GEYERSBACH:
Why the hell did you abuse me, Herr Bach?
BACH:
What do you mean? I don't abuse people. I go my way in peace.
GEYERSBACH:
You did, you called me a prick of a bassoonist. Do you think you weren't insulting me by insulting my bassoon? Why the hell are you such a dirty dog?
Sounds of struggle
NARRATOR:
Geyersbach lunged at him with his stick, and Sebastian tried to draw his sword. The two of them ended up struggling on the ground until the other students managed to separate them.
GEYERSBACH:
You're in serious trouble. I won't condescend to have a duel with you. I shall report you to the town council tomorrow.
NARRATOR:
He did. But the town council did not find either way. The matter was dropped, but Sebastian was left with a sense of resentment.

In October 1705, his superintendent granted him leave to visit the north-German city of Lübeck to hear the great organist, Dietrich Buxtehude. He took every chance to attend the famous evening concerts in the Marienkirche when Buxtehude's church cantatas were performed.

Bach was so fascinated by these concerts, and by his discussions with the great master, that he remained in Lübeck over Christmas until the following February.
Marienkirche, Lübeck
NARRATOR:
According to legend, both Bach and George Frederick Handel, who was born in the same year as Bach, wanted to become amanuenses of Buxtehude; but neither wanted to marry his daughter, as that was a condition for the position.

He returned to Arnstadt three months late, having visited Bðhm in Lüneburg on the way, full of new ideas and enthusiasm, which he immediately put into practice in his playing.

The congregation however was completely surprised and bewildered by his new musical ideas: there was considerable confusion during the singing of the chorales.
Buxtehude from A Musical Party by Johannes Voorhout
CHURCH MEMBER 1:
NARRATOR:
CHURCH MEMBER 2:
We do not appreciate your surprising variations and irrelevant ornaments! They obliterate the melody and they confuse the congregation!.
The Church Council reprimanded him.
We do not enjoy your strange sounds during the services. Also would you kindly explain the unauthorized extension of your leave in Lübeck?
Johann Sebastian Bach
NARRATOR:
CHURCH MEMBER 1:
Bach did not attempt to justify himself before what he no doubt regarded as a group of narrow minded and conservative old gentlemen; yet the Council, in view of his skilled playing, decided to treat their impetuous young organist with leniency.

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. For this the Council further reprimanded him and added:
We gather that you have been entertaining a strange damsel in the organ loft!
Maria Barbara Bach
NARRATOR:
The young lady was probably his cousin, Maria Barbara, the younger sister of Barbara Catherina, who had witnessed the brawl. He was later to marry her.

In 1706 Bach was offered a more lucrative post as organist at St. Blasius's in Mühlhausen, a large and important city to the north. Four months after arriving there, he married his second cousin, Maria Barbara Bach. They were wed her at the small church in the picturesque little village of Dornheim. They had seven children, four of whom survived to adulthood.
Introduce the cantata Gott ist mein Konig and take under
Dornheim Church
At Mühlhausen he composed his cantata Gott ist mein Kðnig', given in the splendour of the Marienkirche to celebrate the inauguration of the Town Council. However a religious controversy arose between the orthodox Lutherans, who were lovers of music, and the Pietists, who were strict puritans and distrusted both art and music.

Bach was apprehensive of the latter's growing influence.
Bring up Gott ist mein Konig and play out as appropriate.
Medieval Mulhausen

Part 3: Weimar 1708 - 1717

Music of the Great Composers

Prisoners
The Flying Palaces of Angkor