Bach's Influence On Modern Music

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was unlike most other composers of his time. “He wrote music for the glory of God, and to satisfy his own burning curiosity, not for future fame.” During the 1700s, people knew him as a talented musician, not as a composer, as we do today. He never left his country to pursue bigger and better things. Bach was content as long as he could play music. Traditions were very important to him. He wanted to carry on the musical tradition of his family, and never opted to change the traditional ways of composing, as did most composers. Bach’s work is vast and unique.

No other composer or musical artist has made as big of an impact on music as Ludwig Van Beethoven. He influenced many other composers, and made some of the most beautiful pieces that are still played today. It is truly amazing that he was able to master his craft and become questionably the greatest composer that has ever lived, despite having a condition that would seem to make composing music impossible.

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German organist, composer, and musical scholar of the Baroque period, and is almost universally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. His works, noted for their intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty, have provided inspiration to nearly every musician after him, from Mozart to Schoenberg.

Ludwig Van Beethoven, was the composer who changed music more than any other composer, the sound of music and what the other composers that were to come after him thought. He wrote nine symphonies, five piano concertos, an opera and many pieces of chamber music that jolted music right out of itself. (Landon) Beethoven changed music by creating a new era called Romanticism, influencing the other composers and changing the old methods by adding a special twist.

“Without Craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.” Johannes Brahms was an extraordinarily talented composer of his time, and, as said in one of his famous quotes, he truly crafted each piece of music he wrote with much care and delicacy. Ever since the early age of six years old, Brahms was infatuated with playing the piano, composing music, as well as conducting choral groups as well as symphonies throughout the entirety of his life. He was tremendously popular amongst friends, fellow composers, and other notable people of his time. His fame not only stood in the barriers of his lifetime, but also stood the test of time. His works are often compared to the likes of people such as the famous Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. This impeccable trio

Some of the most well known composers came to be in the in the classical music period. Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the composers, along with other greats of the time like Haydn and Mozart, which helped to create a new type of music. This new music had full rich sounds created by the new construction of the symphony orchestra.

     Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s style unlike anyone else. Mozart was a master of counterpoint, fugue, and the other traditional compositional points of his day. He is also considered the best melody writer the world has ever known. Wolfgang perfected the grand forms of symphony, opera string quartet, and concerto made the classical period. “Mozart’s music is characterized by lucid ease and distinction of style....”2 Wolfgang wrote over 600 works which consisted of 21 stage and opera works, 15 masses, over 50 symphonies, 25 piano concertos, 12 violin concertos,27 concert arias, 17 piano sonatas, 26 string quartets, and many more. His operas range from comic baubles to tragic pieces. In his Requiem it illustrates the supreme vocal sounds in any of his work.

Beethoven was one of the greatest composers of the Classical period. Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images Beethoven was one of the most influential composers of the Classical period. His music inspired others and set the stage for the music of the Romantic period. His father had wanted him to become the next Mozart and play piano professionally.

The two composer that I pick are Edgar Varese and Carolina Shaw. I will discuss and describe how their music differs in approach both to each other as well as to Johann Sebastian Bach composers of the past.

Ludwig Van Beethoven perfected the symphony during the Classical Era. Although he composed many other works, his nine symphonies seem to be the most influential. In my opinion, his Fifth and Ninth symphonies contribute the most to the way later composers continued their work. His Fifth

My favorite composer among the list given is definitely Johannes Brahms. I am choosing to write about Brahms because I feel as though he is the leader of the romantic era. He was a very talented man, who at such a young age had already accomplished so much a composer. When he was a teenager he was already an established composer and creating beautiful music. My little sister plays the piano now and one of my personal favorites she plays is Brahms “Waltz.” I feel so light and beautiful when I hear the song. I feel it really mirrors his works well.

The court orchestra consisted of twenty-two players. Bach’s function was mainly a violinist, however he also played harpsichord. Bach, on occasion, wrote some of the music that was played. During this period he wrote strictly for the organ, and he was rapidly becoming known throughout the country. As time went on, people were coming to see him far and wide.

Ludwig van Beethoven was, and remains today, an influential figure in the history of classical music. Perhaps no other composer in history wrote music of such inspiring power and expressiveness. His influence on the last 150 years of music is unequalled.

Before looking more closely at the composers’ works, they must be placed in their proper historical contexts. Bach was a great composer of the

Ludwig Van Beethoven was one of the greatest musical composers of his time. Starting very young in his studies of music, he held many important positions they would develop him into the composer he became. Born in Bonn, Germany to a singer, he held his first position at the church. He later moved to Vienna where his composed several pieces, and even an opera. He created a new style of music, cyclic form.