Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany on March 31, 1685. 1)
His father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was a seventh generation musician who taught him how to play the violin. 2)
Bach's parents died when he was ten years old. Johann Christoph Bach, his older brother, taught him the organ while they were living in Ohrdruf, Germany.3)
For his beautiful voice, he was given a scholarship to St. Michael's School in Luneburg in 1700.4)
During an initial concert on the new organ, his abilities landed him the position of organist at Arnstadt's New Church in 1703, where he offered music for church services as well as music instruction to local youngsters. 5)
Bach traveled to Muhlhausen in 1707 to become the organist at St. Blaise Church. 6)
Bach had seven children with his first wife, Maria Barbara Bach. His sons, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emanuel, followed in their father's footsteps as composers and musicians. 7)
Bach's next position was as court organist for Duke Wilhelm Ernst at Weimer in 1708. It was here that he wrote his well-known Toccata in D Minor. 8)
Bach was presented with a diamond ring in 1714 by Crown Prince Fredrick of Sweden, who was awestruck by his playing. 9)
Bach was arrested and imprisoned for several weeks in 1716 after infuriating Duke Wilhelm by seeking his release from his employment on short notice and wishing to serve for Prince Leopold of Koethen. 10)
After his release from prison, Bach took over as leader of the court orchestra, which included Prince Leopold. 11)
Bach attempted to arrange a meeting with another prolific composer of the time, George Frideric Handel, in 1719. Despite the fact that they were just 130 kilometers away, the two never met. 12)
Maria Bach, Bach's wife, died unexpectedly in 1720 while he was travelling with Prince Leopold. She was 35 years old at the time. “Chaconne”, the fifth and final movement of the Partita in D Minor for solo violin, was written in her honor. 13)
Bach married Anna Magdalena Wülcken in 1721. They had thirteen kids. 14)
In 1723, he was appointed choirmaster for two churches in Leipzig, Germany, as well as teaching music schools and conducting private tuition. 15)