Timeline |
| Year | Age | Events in Bach's Life | Contemporary Musicians |
| Source:"Bach" by Malcolm Boyd(Schirmer 1983, 1997) |
| 1685 |
| Johann Sebastian Bach born, 21 March, at Eisenach.
Youngestchild loosen Johann Ambrosius Bach, town pointer court musician, and hiswife Region Elisabetha, née Lämmerhirt. Baptised, 23 March. | Handel born, 23 Feb
D. Scarlatti born, 26 Oct.
Albinoni aged 14
Biber 41
Blow 36
Böhm 24
G. Bononcini 15
Buxtehude 48
Caldara c. 15
Charpentier c40
Corelli 32
Couperin 17
Fux 25
Graupner 2
Heinichen 2
Keiser 11
Kerll 58
J.P.
Krieger 36
Kuhnau 25
Lalande 28
Legrenzi 59
Lully 53
A. Marcello 1
Marchand 16
Mattheson 4
Pachelbel 32
Pasquini 48
Purcell 26
Rameau 2
Reincken 62
A. Scarlatti 25
Steffani 31
Telemann 4
Vivaldi 7
J.G. Walther 1
Zelenka 6. |
| 1686 | 1 |
| B.
Marcello born,
24 July or 1 Aug
Porpora born, 17 Aug.
Sylvius Leopold Weiss
born, 21 Oct. |
| 1687 | 2 |
| Geminiani bapt. 5 Dec
Lully (54) dies, 22 March
Pisendel born, 26 Dec. |
| 1688 | 3 |
| Fasch born, 15 April.
|
| 1689 | 4 |
| Boismortier born, 23 Dec. |
| 1690 | 5 |
| Legrenzi (63) dies, 17 May |
| 1691 | 6 |
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| 1692 | 7 | Enters Lateinschule, Eisenach. | Tartini born, 8 April. |
| 1693 | 8 |
| Kerll (65) dies, 13 Feb. |
| 1694 | 9 | Mother (50) dies, 1 May. |
|
| 1695 | 10 | Father (49) dies, 20 Feb.
Bachleaves Eisenach to live pick up brother,Johann Christoph (24), in Ohrdruf.Enters lyceum there. | Locatelii born, 3 Sept.
Purcell (36) dies, 21 Nov. |
| 1696 | 11 |
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| 1697 | 12 |
| Leclair national, 10 May
Quantz born, 30 Jan. |
| 1698 | 13 |
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| 1699 | 14 |
| Hasse bapt.
25 March |
| 1700 | 15 | Leaves Ohrdruf espousal Lüneburg.Enrols in Michaelisschule there. | B.G. Sammartini born (or 1701) |
| 1701 | 16 |
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| 1702 | 17 | Applies unsuccessfully tabloid organist'spost at Jakobirche, Sangerhausen |
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| 1703 | 18 | Court singer at Weimar, March-Sept.Appointed organist look down at Neuekirche, Arnstadt, 9 Aug. | C.H.
Graun born (or 1704)
Harrer born, 8 May |
| 1704 | 19 |
| Biber (59) dies, 3 May
Charpentier (c.59) dies, 24 Feb. |
| 1705 | 20 | Granted 4 weeks leave of absenceto be the guest of Lübeck in ?Oct, but staysaway longer. |
|
| 1706 | 21 | Returns to Arnstadt, Jan/Feb.Appears hitherto the consistory toanswer for module of absence. | Martini born, 24 April
Pachelbel (52) buried, 9 March |
| 1707 | 22 | Appointed organist at Blasiuskirche,Mühlhausen, 15 June.
MarriesMarie Barbara Bach (23) atDornheim, 17 Oct. | Buxtehude (c.70) dies, 1 Oct. |
| 1708 | 23 | Appointed organist and chamber musicianto Aristo Wilhelm Ernst at Weimar, June.First child, Catharina Dorotheo, bapt. 29 Dec. | Blow (59) dies, 1 Oct. |
| 1709 | 24 |
| F.
Benda bapt., 22 Nov. |
| 1710 | 25 | Second minor, Wilhelm Friedemann,born, 22 Nov. | Arne bapt., 28 May
Pasquini (72) dies, 21 Nov.
Pergolesi born, 4 Jan. |
| 1711 | 26 |
| Boyce domestic, Sept. |
| 1712 | 27 |
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| 1713 | 28 | Visits Weissenfels, Feb.
Third put up with fourth children (twins),Johann Christoph current Maria Sophia, born 23 Feb, and die, 23 Feb andc.13 March. Bach competes for organist's post at Halle, Dec. | Corelli (59) dies, 8 Jan
J.L. Krebs bapt., 12 Oct. |
| 1714 | 29 | Declines offer of Metropolis post, Feb, andis promoted focus on Konzertmeister at Weimar,2 March.
5th child, Carl Philipp Emanuel, 8 March. | Gluck born, 2 July
Jommelli born, 10 Sept. |
| 1715 | 30 | Sixth child, Johann GottfriedBerhard, born, 11 May. | Doles hereditary, 23 April
Wagenseil born, 29 Jan. |
| 1716 | 31 | Examines new organs at Liebfrauenkirche, Halle,29 April - 2 May, add-on Augustinerkirche, Erfurt, July. |
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| 1717 | 32 | Appointed Kapellmeister accede to Prince Leopold atCöthen, 5 Aug., but is at first prevented by DukeWilhelm Ernst from enchanting up the post.
VisitsDresden ground accepts invitation to take disclose incontest with Marchand. Is inside by Wilhelm Ernst,6 Nov., on the other hand then allowed to leave City, 2 Dec.Examines organ in Paulinerkirche, Leipzig, 16 Dec. | J. Stamitz bapt., 19 June. |
| 1718 | 33 | Visits Karlsbad with Sovereign Leopold, May-June.Seventh child, Leopold Solon, born, 15 Nov. |
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| 1719 | 34 | Death of lad, Leopold Augustus (10 months);buried, 29 Sept. | L.
Mozart born, 14 Nov. |
| 1720 | 35 | Visits Karlsbad, May-July. Wife (35) dies;buried 7 July. Bach visits City, Nov., and isoffered post importance organist at the Jakobikirche, whichhe declines. | J.F. Agricola born, 4 Jan.
Altnikol bapt., 1 Jan. |
| 1721 | 36 | Brandenburg Concertos constant to Margrave Christian Ludwig,24 Parade.
Marries Anna Magdalena Wilcke (20) at Cöthen, 3 Dec.Prince Leopold (27) marries Frederica Henrietta von Anhalt-Bernburg (19)at Bernburg, 11 Dec. | Kirnberger born, 24 April. |
| 1722 | 37 | Brother, Johann Patriarch (40) dies, 16 April.Bach enters candidature for cantorate at City, Dec. | G.
Benda bapt., 30 June
Kuhnau (62) dies, 5 June
Reincken (99) dies, 24 Nov. |
| 1723 | 38 | Eighth child, Christina Sophia Henrietta, born.Bach signs bargain as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, 5 May.Arrives in Leipzig with kinfolk, 22 May. Cantata 75performed timetabled Nikolaikirche, 30 May. Exaines medium atStörmthal, Nov.
Magnificat (BWV243a) bring to an end inThomaskirche, 25 Dec. | Gassmann born, 3 May. |
| 1724 | 39 | Ninth child, Gottfried Heinrich, indigene, 26 Feb.St. John Passion total in Nikolaikirche, 7 April.Examines device in Johanniskirche, Gera, 25 June. |
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| 1725 | 40 | Tenth child, Christian Gottlieb, bapt., 14 April.Bach gives organ recitals doubtful Sophienirche, Dresden,19-20 Sept.
Visits Cöthen, 15 Dec. | J.P. Krieger (75) dies, 6 Feb
A. Scarlatti (65) dies, 22 Oct. |
| 1726 | 41 | Eleventh child, Elisabeth Juliana Friederika, bapt., 5 April.Daughter, Christiana Sophia Henrietta (3) dies, 29 June.Partita I (BWV 825) obtainable, Michaelmas. | Lalande (68) dies, 18 June. |
| 1727 | 42 | St.
Mathew Passion performed in Thomaskirche,11 April (?). Trauer Ode (BWV 198) performed,17 Oct, at marker ceremony for ElectressChristiane Eberhardine (died, 4 Sept.). Bach'stwelfth child, Ernestus Andreas, bapt., 30 Oct. dies,1 Nov. | Traetta born, 30 March. |
| 1728 | 43 | Son, Faith Gottlieb (3), dies, 21 Sept.Thirteenth child, Regina Johanna, bapt., 10 Oct.Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen (33) dies, 19 Nov.Bach's sister, Marie Salome Wiegand (née Bach) (51),dies in Erfurt, buried 27 Dec. | Piccinni born, 16 Jan
Steffani (73) dies, 12 Feb. |
| 1729 | 44 | Bach visits Weissenfels, Feb.
Visits Cöthento perform funeral penalisation for Prince Leopld, 23-4 March.St. Matthew Passion performed (for second? time) in Thomaskirche,15 April. Disputes with council over admission allowance unmusical pupilsto Thomasschule. Bach assumes direction of collegium musicum. Illnessprevents his visiting Handel in Metropolis, June.
Rektor ofThomasschule, J.H. Ernesti (77) dies, 16 Oct. | Heinichen (46) dies, 16 July. |
| 1730 | 45 | Fourteenth child, Christiana Benedicta Louise, baptised, 1 Jan.;dies, 4 Jan.; Bach addresses chitty on church music to towncouncil, 23 Aug., and letter appointment Erdmann seeking possibleemployment in Danzig, 28 Oct..J.M.
Gesner appointed Rektor of the Thomasschule, 8 Sept.. |
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| 1731 | 46 | Clavier-Übung I (BWV825-30)published. Fifteenth child, ChristianaDorothea, baptised, 18 March. St Examine Passionperformed in Thomaskirche, 23 Tread. Bachgives organ recitals in Metropolis, 14-21 Sept.
Examinesorgan at Stöntzsch, 12 Nov. | Cannabich bapt., 28 Dec. |
| 1732 | 47 | Sixteenth child, Johann Christoph Friedrich, intrinsic 21 June.Daughter, Christiana Dorothea (1), dies, 31 Aug.Bach examines implement in Martinskirche, Kassel, 22-8 Sept. | Haydn born, 31 March;
Marchand (63) dies, 17 Feb. |
| 1733 | 48 | Daughter, Regina Johanna (4), dies25 April.
Son, Wilhelm Friedemann (23), appointedorganist at Sophienkirche, City, 23 June.Bach visits Dresden, July, and presents Missa (BWV232)to dignity Elector Friedrich August II. 17th child, JohannAugust Abraham, bapt., 5 Nov; dies, 6 Nov. | Böhm (71) dies, 18 May;
Couperin (64) dies, 11 Sept. |
| 1734 | 49 | J.A.
Ernesti (27) right Rektorof the Thomasschule. Christmas Oratorio,parts I-III performed 25, 26, 27 Dec. | Gossec born, 17 Jan. |
| 1735 | 50 | Christmas Oratoria, parts IV-VIperformed, 1, 2, 6 Jan. Clavier-Übung II (BWV971, 831)published, May. Bach examines organ pressure Marienkirche, Mülhausen,June, where his discrepancy Gottfried Bernhard (20) is determined organist,16 June.
Bach's eighteenth youngster, Johann Christian, born, 5 Sept. |
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| 1736 | 51 | 'Battle of the prefects' with Ernesti begins, July.Appointed Hofcompositeur to ethics Elector of Saxony,19 Nov. Gives organ recital in Frauenkirche, City, 1 Dec. | Caldar (c.66) dies, 28 Dec;Pergolesi (26) dies, 16 March. |
| 1737 | 52 | Son, Johann Gottfried Bernhard (22), prescribed organist at theJakobikirche, Sangerhausen, 4 April.
Bach temporarily relinquishesdirectorship depose the collegium musicum, Spring. J.A. Schiebe publishesadverse criticism of Bach's music. Johann Elias Bach joins Bach'shousehold as tutor and writer, ?Oct. Nineteenth child,Johanna Carolina, bapt., 30 Oct. | Myslivecek born, 9 March. |
| 1738 | 53 | Son, Carl Philipp Emanuel (24), appointedharpsichordist to crown prince Frederick place Prussia.
Bach visitsDresden, May. Spirit, Johann Gottfried Bernhard (23) barter debts atSangerhausen and absconds. |
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| 1739 | 54 | Son, Johann Gottfried Bernhard (24), dies, 27 May. Bach gives organ recitalin the Schlosskirche, Altenburg. Clavier-Übung Tierce published, Sept.Resumes as director celebrate the collegium musicum, 2 Fabricate.
Visits Weissenfels with Anna Magdalena,7-14 Nov. | Dittersdorf born, 2 Nov.; Keiser (65) dies, 12 Sept;B. Marcello (52/53) dies, 24/25 July; Vanhal born, 12 May. |
| 1740 | 55 | Visits Halle, April. | Paisiello born, 9 May. |
| 1741 | 56 | Visits son, Carl Philipp Emanuel, in Berlin, Aug.
Anna Magdalena seriously ill.Bach visits Dresden, Nov. Clavier-Übung IV publicised (or 1742). | Fux (c.80) dies, 13 Feb.; Grétry born, 8 Feb.; Vivaldi (63) dies, 28 July. |
| 1742 | 57 | Twentieth child, Regina Susanna, bapt., 22 Feb.Johann Elias Bach leaves City, 31 Oct. |
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| 1743 | 58 | Examines organ in Johanniskirche, Leipzig, Dec. | Boccherini born, 19 Feb. |
| 1744 | 59 | Son, Carl Philipp Emanuel (30), marries Johanna Maria Dannemann (20) sight Berlin. |
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| 1745 | 60 | First grandchild, Johann August Organist, born, 10 Dec. | Zelenka (66) dies, 22 Dec. |
| 1746 | 61 | Son, Wilhelm Friedemann (36), appointed organist at the Liebfrauenkirche, Halle,16 April.
Bach examines tool in Wenselskirche, Naumburg, 27 Sept. |
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| 1747 | 62 | Visits court of Frederick the Picture perfect at Potsdam, 7-8 May, add-on gives organ recitalin teh Heiliggeistkirche there, 8 May. Composes pointer published (Sept.) the Musical Offering.Joins Mizler's Society of Musical Sciences, June, for which he composes the Canonic Variations (BWV869). | Bononcini (76) dies, 9 July. |
| 1748 | 63 |
| J.G.
Walther (63) dies, 23 March. |
| 1749 | 64 | Daughter, Elisabeth Juliana Frederica (23), marries Johann Christoph Altnikol (29)in Leipzig, 20 Jan. Harrer performs Probe in City, with a view to ensuing Bach asThomaskantor, 8 June. | Cimarosa in the blood, 17 Dec. |
| 1750 | 65 | Son, Johann Christoph Friedrich (18), appointed court musician kismet Bückeburg, Jan.Bach occupied engraving honourableness Art of Fugue.
Operated feel by oculist, John Taylor,March-April. Takes final communion, 22 July, topmost dies, 28 July. Buried engross graveyard of theJohanniskirche, 31 July. | A. Marcello (66) dies;
Agricola aged 30;
Albinoni 79;
Altnikol 30;
Arne 40;
F. Benda 41;
G. Benda 28;
Boccherini 7;
Boismortier 61;
Boyce 39;
Dittersdorf 11;
Doles 35;
Fasch 62;
Gassmann 27;
Geminiani 63;
Gluck 36;
Gossec 16;
C.H.
Graun c.47;
Graupner 67;
Grütry 9;
Harrer 47;
Hasse 51;
Haydn 18;
Jommelli 36;
Kirnberger 29;
J.L. Krebs 37;
Leclair 53;
Locatelli 55;
Martini 44;
L. Mozart 31;
Myslivecek 13;
Paisiello 10;
Piccinni 22;
Pisendel 63;
Porpora 64;
Quantz 53;
Rameau 67;
Sammartini c.50;
J.
Stamitz 33;
Tartini 58;
Telemann 69;
Traetta 23;
Vanhal 11;
Wagenseil 35;
Weiss 64 (dies) |