Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) never left Germany but became internationally respected by his peers during his lifetime and a symbol of pure musicianship for future generations. A virtuoso organist, harpsichordist, and violinist/violist who may have also played lute, as a composer his mastery of counterpoint and fugal writing remain unmatched, yet he was also open to the influences of contemporary Italian and French composers.
Born into a highly musical family in Eisenach, Germany, Bach became organist at the Neukirche in Arnstadt in 1703 at the age of 18. His first major appointment was as court organist to Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Weimar, in 1708; six years later the Duke made him Concertmaster. In 1717 Bach became Kapellmeister and music director to the music-loving Prince Leopold of Anhalt in Cöthen, where Bach wrote much of his greatest secular music. Bach's duties switched to writing choral and organ music for use in church services...
Born into a highly musical family in Eisenach, Germany, Bach became organist at the Neukirche in Arnstadt in 1703 at the age of 18. His first major appointment was as court organist to Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Weimar, in 1708; six years later the Duke made him Concertmaster. In 1717 Bach became Kapellmeister and music director to the music-loving Prince Leopold of Anhalt in Cöthen, where Bach wrote much of his greatest secular music. Bach's duties switched to writing choral and organ music for use in church services...
- 3/21/2015
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
In a time when the most famous composers in England were -- for example, Handel, and J.C. Bach -- relocated Germans, William Boyce (1711-1779) was arguably the premiere English-born composer. In 1736 the former choirboy turned organist (he studied with Maurice Greene at St. Paul's Cathedral) was named composer to the Chapel Royal; in 1759 he was made Master of the King's Musick. By 1769 deafness had largely ended his official musical duties.
One of those duties was to provide music for church services (he was also, from 1736 to 1768, organist at St. Michael's in Cornhill). He not only composed a considerable amount of sacred music, he also compiled the three-volume collection Cathedral Music, which preserved a vast array of sacred music by earlier English composers.
Boyce also frequently wrote music for specific royal occasions: holidays, the King's birthday, etc. He was also an active composer for the theater. In 1760, he published the...
One of those duties was to provide music for church services (he was also, from 1736 to 1768, organist at St. Michael's in Cornhill). He not only composed a considerable amount of sacred music, he also compiled the three-volume collection Cathedral Music, which preserved a vast array of sacred music by earlier English composers.
Boyce also frequently wrote music for specific royal occasions: holidays, the King's birthday, etc. He was also an active composer for the theater. In 1760, he published the...
- 2/7/2015
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
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