Johann Michael Bach

To be distinguished from Johann Michael Bach (1745–1820)

Johann Michael Bach (9 August 1648, Arnstadt, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen – 17 May 1694, Gehren) was a German composer of the Baroque period. He was the brother of Johann Christoph Bach, as well as father-in-law of Johann Sebastian Bach (he was the father of J.S. Bach's first wife Maria Barbara Bach). He is sometimes referred to as the "Gehrener Bach" to distinguish him from the "Wuppertaler Bach", Johann Michael Bach (1745–1820).[1][2][3][4]

Contents

Life

See also: Bach family

Johann Michael was born at Arnstadt, the son of Heinrich Bach, who was the great uncle of Johann Sebastian Bach. In 1673, Johann Michael became the organist and town clerk of Gehren, where he lived until his death.

Works

His most-performed work is the small chorale prelude for organ, In Dulci Jubilo, which for many years was attributed to J. S. Bach. (It was ascribed the catalog number BWV 751.) His other most important works include cantatas Ach, bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ (for choir, strings and continuo), Liebster Jesu, hör mein Flehen (for soprano, alto, two tenors, bass, strings and continuo), and Ach, wie sehnlich wart' ich der Zeit (also for soprano, strings, and continuo).

In addition to composing music, J. M. Bach made musical instruments, including harpsichords.

References

  1. ^ Johann Michael Bach, der »Gehrener Bach« (1648-1694), in: Musik und Gottesdienst 1994, 50-57
  2. ^ There is a problematic reference to a "Johann Michael Bach (1660-1723)"(?) born in Arnstadt and organist in Gehren in Allgemeine illustrierte Encyklopädie der Musikgeschichte 1902 ed Hermann Ritter "(Johann Michael Bach, der 1660 in Arnstadt geboren wurde, war Organist und Stadtschreiber in Gehren [Fürstentum Schwarzburg-Sondershausen], wo er 1723 starb" This appears to be a misprint, since the dates of birth are not of the "Gehrener Bach" but of Johann Lorenz Stauber (1660-1723)
  3. ^ Provokation und Tradition: Hans-Martin Linde, Regula Rapp - 2000 "Hier bot sich nun endlich die Gelegenheit, Johann Michael Bach (II) als den ,Wuppertaler' Bach vorzustellen, als der er sich für uns inzwischen erwiesen hatte und dessen Kantate wir im Januar 1986 beiseite gelegt hatten. "
  4. ^ Hugo Riemann (1849-1919): Leben, Werk und Wirkung Michael Arntz - 1999 "Es gab sogar noch einen weiteren bühnentauglichen Schreiber in der Dynastie, Johann Michael Bach hieß er, ... fand sein Auskommen als Musiklehrer eines Gymnasiums im bergischen Elberfeld, heute Wuppertal, wo er 1820 mit 75 Jahren starb."

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