Program Notes Johann Christoph Bach

Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703) was an organist and composer of the Baroque period. He was an older cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach, and he was known for his technical skill as an organist and his expressive melodies.

Bach was born in Arnstadt, Germany, and he studied music with his father, Heinrich Bach. He later moved to Eisenach, where he became organist at the Georgenkirche. He also served as Kapellmeister to the Duke of Saxe-Eisenach.

Bach's music is characterized by its use of counterpoint, its expressive melodies, and its technical skill. He wrote a number of organ works, including preludes and fugues, chorale preludes, and concertos. He also wrote a number of sacred vocal works, including cantatas and motets.

Bach was a respected composer during his lifetime, and his music was performed throughout Germany. He was a major influence on his younger cousin, Johann Sebastian Bach, and his music is still performed today.

Here are some of his most famous works:

• Organ Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 545
• Organ Chorale Prelude "An Wasserflüssen Babylon", BWV 653
• Cantata "Ich habe genug", BWV 82
• Motet "Jesu, meine Freude", BWV 227

If you are interested in learning more about Johann Christoph Bach, I recommend the following books:

• The Cambridge Companion to Johann Christoph Bach (edited by Christoph Wolff)
• Johann Christoph Bach: The Organist (by Robin Leaver)
• Johann Christoph Bach: The Life and Work of a Baroque Composer (by Stephen Laitz)