The World's Great Men of Music

st saw the light, in the little town of Eisenach, nestling on the edge of the Thuringen forest. The long

e Sebastian should have shown a fondness for music almost from infancy. But, beyond learning the violin from his father, he had not advanced very far in his studies, when, in his tenth year he lost both his parents and was taken care of by his brother Christoph, fourteen years older, a respectable musician and organist in a neighboring town. To give his

usic containing pieces by Buxtehude and Frohberger, famous masters of the time, in the possession of Christoph. Sebastian greatly desired to play the pieces in that book, but his brother kept it under lock and key in his cupboard, or bookcase. One day the child must

ion of the coveted book at all costs. One moonlight night, long after every one had

ious musicians printed in large letters on the back in his brother's handwriting. To get his small hands between the bars and draw t

k to his chamber. Placing the book on a table in front of the window, where the moonlight f

x months whenever there were moonlight nights, Sebastian was

he heard sounds in his brother's room, came to seek the cause. His glance, as he entered the room, fell on the open books. There was no pity in his heart for all this devoted labor, only anger that he had been outwitted by his small brother. He took both bo

ich placed him with the scholars who were chosen to sing in the church service in return for a free education. There were two church schools in Lüneburg, and the rivalry between them was

musical studies, giving his spare time to the study of the best composers. He began to realize that he cared more for the organ than for any other instrument; indeed his love for it became a pas

e determined to walk the whole distance thither to hear him. Now Hamburg was called in those days the "Paradise of German music," and was twenty-five good Engli

e long walk without any food. As he trudged along he came upon a small inn, from the open door of which came a delightful savory odor. He could not resist looking in through the window. At that instant a window above was thrown open and a couple of herrings' heads were tossed into the road. The herring is a favorite article of food in

ll the time till he could find a place to play the instrument he so loved. An opportunity soon came. The old Thuringian town Arnstadt had a new church and a

en installed as organist at a salary of fifty florins, with thirty thalers in addition for board and lodging, equal, all in all, to less than fifty dollars. In those days this amo

sure to study. Up to this time he had done very little composin

e learned to express himself and to attain facility in putting his thoughts on paper without first playing them on an instrument. He worked

the organ to conduct the church music than he forgot that the choir and congregation were depending on him and would begin to improvise at such length that the singing had to stop altogether,

as fifty miles from Arnstadt, but the courageous boy made the entire journey on foot. He enjoyed the music at Lübeck so much that he quite forgot his promise to return in one month until he had stayed three. His pock

s offered the post of organist at St. Blasius at Mülhausen, near Eisenach, he accepted at once. He was told he might name his own salary. If Bach had been avaricious he could hav

e might make a home for himself. He had fallen in love with

fore Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Weimar, and hastened thither, hoping this might lead to an appointment at Court. He was not

and privation. He was now able to give much time to composition, and began to write those maste

atter how difficult, at sight, without a mistake. In order to test this statement the friend invited him to breakfast shortly after. On the harpsichord were several pieces of music, one of which, though apparently simple, was really very difficult. His host left the room to prepare the breakfast, while Bach began

added privileges. Every autumn he used his annual vacation in traveling to the principal towns to give

in France, where he was organist to the King at Versailles, and regarded as the most fashionable musician of the day. All this had made him very con

in a contest, to defend the musical honor of the German nati

made his appearance, and all was ready, but the adversary failed to come.

at C?then Bach led a happy, busy life. The Prince often journeyed to different towns to gratify his taste for music, and always took Bach with him. On one of these tri

fe, and for her he composed many of the delightful dances which we now so greatly enjoy. He also wrote a num

playing, composing or teaching, he would be found engraving music on copper, since that work was costly in those

ure for his work, did not give him the scope he needed for his art. The Prin

ith the Leipsic period Bach entered the last stage of his career, for he retained this post for the rest of his life. He labored unceasingly, in spite of many obstacles and petty restr

Matthew and St. John, and the Mass in B Minor. It was the Passion according to St. Matthew that Mendelssohn, about a

had ever been his chief characteristic. He was always very religi

Great. His Majesty was very fond of music and played the flute to some extent. He had several times sent messages to Bach by Philip Emmanuel, that he would like to see him. But Bac

ed him with great kindness and respect, and showed him through the palace, where he must try the Silbermann pianofortes, of which there were several. Bach improvised on each and the King gave a theme which he treated as a fantasia, to the astonishment of a

only writing his own music, but in copying out large works of the older masters. Notwithstanding this handicap he continued at work up to the very last. On

esting place. Only the town library register tells that Johann Sebastian Bach, Musical Dir

the love his beautiful music inspires increases from year