The Bach family was one of hardworking provincial craftsmen, in which the family craft was passed (apparently along with the first name Johann) from one generation to the next-in this case, the craft was music. In 17th century Thuringia, a region of Central Germany and hotbed of Lutheranism, they were many careers in music to choose from, a town, church or court musician, or an instrument maker, and the Bachs were active in all those fields. Johann Sebastian, recognizing the gift of his genealogy, compiled his own family history in 1735 and possessed an archive of works by his forbears, with some pieces copied out in his own hand. England's excellent mixed-voice Clare College Chapel Choir, formed in 1971, performs these 11 rarely-heard gems perfectly: Johann Christoph Bach's (1642-1703) "Lieber Herr Gott," "Es ist nun aus," "Der Gerechte, ob er gleich," "Ich lasse dich nicht" and "Furchte dich nicht;" Johann Bach's (1604-1673) "Unser Leben ist ein Schatten," Johann Michael Bach's (1648-1694) "Herr, du lassest mich erfahren" and "Sie lieber Tag willkommen;" and Johann Ludwig Bach's (1677-1731) "Unsere Trubsal." Listening to this wonderful stuff, it's clear that Johann Sebastian's heritage was a highly appreciated, major factor in his own genius. |
