J.S. Bach and Baroque

mrke · Newbie Alert Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

Hello! I found this place while seeking for help on a project regarding J.S. Bach. Great site!
Anyways I have an investigation to do on J.S. Bach, and need the knowledge of someone who knows about the composer. The problem is I have to write my investigation on how Bach influenced the music and culture in the Baroque era, and later on. I've searched, but all I could find was that he did influence it, and very much. The question is how? I understand (I think) that his technique, and influences from other countries made Baroque music mature, but I don't quite understand what the maturity was/is. I would really appreciate any help, cause I could'nt find almost anything on the subject. Thanks alot!

ty8131990 · Tadpole Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 23

Firstly, he was an organ virtuoso. Both played and composed for the organ. One would say "It must be Bach or the devil himself!" when he played on the organ.

He is also known as the "master of counterpoint", and he brought complex polyphony to the musical world. Such can be seen in the Brandenburg concerto No.1 first movement, which consists of various brass, strings and woodwind instruments. He also wrote polyphonic pieces for the violin. A good example would be the ciaconna of Partita No.2 BWV 1004, with the polyphonic arpeggios.

One of the more famous pieces include the Adagio of the Sonata 1 for violin, which is a classic example of the violin Bach. However the most famous of his organ pieces is the Tocatta BWV 565.

There are so many things about Bach.