Composer

Over 300 years after he was born, Johann Sebastian Bach still lives on in his music

In our throwaway culture where things move so fast and we’re always looking for the new ‘new’, it’s a comfort to realise that the legacy of the life of the composer, Johann Sebastian Bach is still alive and flourishing more than 300 years after his death.

Whether you’re looking to relax, to sober up, to sleep or to mourn and grieve, this guy has got something that works. The sheer range of compositions, which he produced at a furious pace throughout his life, reminds us of what a creative powerhouse he was as well as his wide-ranging tastes and inspirations.

In his life, like so many of us, he dealt with disappointments, death and disillusionment balanced by resounding success, artistic fulfilment and the support of good friends and family.

If you want to get a quick overview of his life, check out our short biography of this towering figure of the music scene.

230 years ago, the great Austrian composer was on his last legs

The 35-year-old genius was still working on his requiem and a cantata in the final weeks before his death. He was confined to bed on 20 November 1791 and only had 3 weeks left to live.

His requiem is a choral masterpiece that has become famous the world over since his death. The fact that he was still working on this massive masterpiece while feeling tired, depressed and seriously ill only makes it an even more staggering accomplishment.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in Vienna on 5 December 1791 after a furiously busy creative life, leaving behind more than 600 pieces of music that still give so much pleasure. Thanks Mozart!

Check out our short video about Mozart and find out about his life from crib to coffin and the music he left us!