Father of classical music turns 330
Beethoven called Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) the “original father of harmony,” and stories have surfaced that before Chopin played any concert, he would lock himself in a room and play a little Bach music.
Bach, born on March 21, 1685, and known as the father of classical music, created more than 1,100 works, including roughly 300 sacred cantatas. His output is unparalleled and includes about every musical genre outside of opera. It is no wonder then that every March, in honor of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday, festivals are held around the world to celebrate the life and music of this extraordinary musician.
Music seemed to be in Bach’s genes, for many of his family members played a variety of instruments and several served as church and court music directors.
Terry Mattingly in his article “When did Bach find time to pray?” revealed that most religious and secular music scholars agree Bach wrote some of the most beautiful music ever composed and that he annotated his manuscripts with the initials “J. J.” for “Jesu Juva,” meaning “Help me, Jesus.” Mattingly further notes Bach’s works were centered on biblical scripture, and he often used numerology in his works. For example, 10 repetitions of melody represent the Decalogue; various musical elements based on the number three represent the Trinity or Godhead; four, for the Four Gospels; and the number 12 for Christ’s apostles.
One of my favorite Bach pieces is the popular “Air” from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major. Whenever I hear it I want to hold onto it like a sweet dream or a happy memory. I never want the piece to end. Bach’s orchestral suites are collections of short dance-like compositions, a form popular during the Baroque period, but for me the “Air” captures a feeling of spiritual sincerity and tenderness. I cannot imagine dancing to it in a dancing sense, but I could pray listening to it, or I could dream. It is like a permanent, personal possession and makes me feel as if Bach were living in our own time, in our own place.
Many summers ago, when I was no more than a beginning piano student, I pleaded with my mother to take me to the Melody Music Shop in Boise, Idaho, so I could spend 75 cents of my hard-earned cucumber-picking money on a collection of 16 easy Bach pieces. In my mind’s eye I could see Anna Magdalena Bach, Bach’s second wife, actually placing the compositions in one small book with the devotion of a saint. Today in my music library I still hold evidence of the purchase.
I reflect on the story of French composer Emmanuel Chabrier. On visiting the French countryside, Chabrier was stopped short by the sight of a grove of chestnut trees. “I stood there looking at these venerable trees whose roots have still enough strength and sap to bring forth young little chestnut trees . . . What power! They make me think of Father Bach who is still breeding new generations of musicians and will go on breeding them forever.”
An inspirational anecdote, indeed!