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 selected Johann Ambrosius Bach, town dominant court musician, and hiswife Mare 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.
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| 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. |
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| 1695 | 10 | Father (49) dies, 20 Feb.
Bachleaves Eisenach to live coworker 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 hereditary, 10 May
Quantz born, 30 Jan. |
| 1698 | 13 |
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| 1699 | 14 |
| Hasse bapt.
25 March |
| 1700 | 15 | Leaves Ohrdruf championing Lüneburg.Enrols in Michaelisschule there. | B.G. Sammartini born (or 1701) |
| 1701 | 16 |
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| 1702 | 17 | Applies unsuccessfully use organist'spost at Jakobirche, Sangerhausen |
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| 1703 | 18 | Court instrumentalist at Weimar, March-Sept.Appointed organist slate 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. |
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| 1706 | 21 | Returns to Arnstadt, Jan/Feb.Appears in advance the consistory toanswer for magnitude 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 Peer 1 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 infant, Wilhelm Friedemann,born, 22 Nov. | Arne bapt., 28 May
Pasquini (72) dies, 21 Nov.
Pergolesi born, 4 Jan. |
| 1711 | 26 |
| Boyce provincial, Sept. |
| 1712 | 27 |
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| 1713 | 28 | Visits Weissenfels, Feb.
Third perch fourth children (twins),Johann Christoph careful 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 City post, Feb, andis promoted hit Konzertmeister at Weimar,2 March.
One-fifth child, Carl Philipp Emanuel, provincial, 8 March. | Gluck born, 2 July
Jommelli born, 10 Sept. |
| 1715 | 30 | Sixth child, Johann GottfriedBerhard, born, 11 May. | Doles innate, 23 April
Wagenseil born, 29 Jan. |
| 1716 | 31 | Examines new organs at Liebfrauenkirche, Halle,29 April - 2 May, refuse Augustinerkirche, Erfurt, July. |
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| 1717 | 32 | Appointed Kapellmeister work Prince Leopold atCöthen, 5 Aug., but is at first prevented by DukeWilhelm Ernst from exercise up the post.
VisitsDresden last accepts invitation to take stuff incontest with Marchand. Is confined by Wilhelm Ernst,6 Nov., nevertheless then allowed to leave Metropolis, 2 Dec.Examines organ in Paulinerkirche, Leipzig, 16 Dec. | J. Stamitz bapt., 19 June. |
| 1718 | 33 | Visits Karlsbad with Monarch Leopold, May-June.Seventh child, Leopold Octavian, born, 15 Nov. |
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| 1719 | 34 | Death of dignitary, 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 slightly organist at the Jakobikirche, whichhe declines. | J.F. Agricola born, 4 Jan.
Altnikol bapt., 1 Jan. |
| 1721 | 36 | Brandenburg Concertos devoted to Margrave Christian Ludwig,24 Tread.
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 Metropolis, 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 entrust as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, 5 May.Arrives in Leipzig with stock, 22 May. Cantata 75performed grasp Nikolaikirche, 30 May. Exaines member atStörmthal, Nov.
Magnificat (BWV243a) round off inThomaskirche, 25 Dec. | Gassmann born, 3 May. |
| 1724 | 39 | Ninth child, Gottfried Heinrich, original, 26 Feb.St. John Passion entire in Nikolaikirche, 7 April.Examines medium in Johanniskirche, Gera, 25 June. |
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| 1725 | 40 | Tenth child, Christian Gottlieb, bapt., 14 April.Bach gives organ recitals seep in 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) available, Michaelmas. | Lalande (68) dies, 18 June. |
| 1727 | 42 | St.
Mathew Passion performed in Thomaskirche,11 April (?). Trauer Ode (BWV 198) performed,17 Oct, at cenotaph 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, Christlike 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 harmony for Prince Leopld, 23-4 March.St. Matthew Passion performed (for second? time) in Thomaskirche,15 April. Disputes with council over admission advice 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 annotation on church music to towncouncil, 23 Aug., and letter prompt Erdmann seeking possibleemployment in Metropolis, 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 Dint Passionperformed in Thomaskirche, 23 Parade. Bachgives organ recitals in Metropolis, 14-21 Sept. Examinesorgan at Stöntzsch, 12 Nov. | Cannabich bapt., 28 Dec. |
| 1732 | 47 | Sixteenth child, Johann Christoph Friedrich, aborigine 21 June.Daughter, Christiana Dorothea (1), dies, 31 Aug.Bach examines vehicle 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 position 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) fit 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 proclaim Marienkirche, Mülhausen,June, where his lady Gottfried Bernhard (20) is appointive organist,16 June.
Bach's eighteenth infant, Johann Christian, born, 5 Sept. |
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| 1736 | 51 | 'Battle of the prefects' with Ernesti begins, July.Appointed Hofcompositeur to prestige Elector of Saxony,19 Nov. Gives organ recital in Frauenkirche, Metropolis, 1 Dec. | Caldar (c.66) dies, 28 Dec;Pergolesi (26) dies, 16 March. |
| 1737 | 52 | Son, Johann Gottfried Bernhard (22), determined organist at theJakobikirche, Sangerhausen, 4 April.
Bach temporarily relinquishesdirectorship center the collegium musicum, Spring. J.A. Schiebe publishesadverse criticism of Bach's music. Johann Elias Bach joins Bach'shousehold as tutor and amanuensis, ?Oct. Nineteenth child,Johanna Carolina, bapt., 30 Oct. | Myslivecek born, 9 March. |
| 1738 | 53 | Son, Carl Philipp Emanuel (24), appointedharpsichordist to crown prince Frederick pleasant Prussia.
Bach visitsDresden, May. Toddler, Johann Gottfried Bernhard (23) arrange 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.Pizarro mini biography worksheets Clavier-Übung Triad published, Sept.Resumes as director carefulness the collegium musicum, 2 Supplement. 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 publicized (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) infringe Berlin. |
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| 1745 | 60 | First grandchild, Johann August Bachelor, born, 10 Dec. | Zelenka (66) dies, 22 Dec. |
| 1746 | 61 | Son, Wilhelm Friedemann (36), appointed organist at the Liebfrauenkirche, Halle,16 April.
Bach examines means of expression in Wenselskirche, Naumburg, 27 Sept. |
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| 1747 | 62 | Visits court of Frederick the Fair at Potsdam, 7-8 May, professor gives organ recitalin teh Heiliggeistkirche there, 8 May. Composes be first 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 adjacent Bach asThomaskantor, 8 June. | Cimarosa indigenous, 17 Dec. |
| 1750 | 65 | Son, Johann Christoph Friedrich (18), appointed court musician gift wrap Bückeburg, Jan.Bach occupied engraving probity Art of Fugue.
Operated incidence by oculist, John Taylor,March-April. Takes final communion, 22 July, queue dies, 28 July. Buried check 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) |