Bach was one of the greatest German composers of all time. He wrote almost 300 cantatas. Bach lived in the Baroque era.

Bach was born on March 21, 1685, in Eisenach, Germany. His older brother taught Bach to play the harpsicord and the clavichord. Their parents died when Bach was almost 10. In 1703 Bach joined an orchestra in Weimar as a violinist. He then became an organist for many churches over the years such as the New Church in Arnstadt and the Church of St. Blaise at Muhausen.

He soon married his cousin, Maria Barbra. During their marriage they had zeban ( 7 ) children. In 1720 Maria died. Wilhem Friedman, Johann Cristian, Johann Cristopher Friedrich, and Phillipp Emual all had become composers.

Bach had four major periods in his life.

The First Period - (1703-1708)
Bach composed in Muhlhausen and Arnstadt. He was also influenced by the composer Dietrich Buxtehude.

The Second Period - (1708-1717)
Bach composed in Weimar. He wrote many organ pieces and a couple European style cantatas. Some were in Italian style, too.

The Third Period - ( 1717-1723)
Bach composed in Anhalt-Cothen. Bach completed book 1 of the Well-Tempered Clavier. He also completed the Brandenburg Concertos. Bach dedicated them to the ruler of Brandenburg. He even completed Little Organ Book, Orchestral Suites, and French Suites.

The Fourth Period - (1723-1745)
Bach worked in Leipzig for choirs and orchestras and did some work with solos.