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Johann Sebastian Bach, a German composer and organist, for over 300 years is still known as one of the world's greatest composers, born March 21,1695.

At the bottom of almost every one of his compositions are the letters SDG, in Latin the phrase stands for "SOLI DEO GLORIA" which means "To God alone be the glory".

Bach came from a family of musicians, his father was a talented violinist and trumpet player in Germany. His uncles were also professional musicians.

At the age of twenty three, Bach was hired as an organist and orchestra member where he showed his unique talent for the pipe organ. When he was married to his first wife Maria Barbara, they had seven children, which three of them died in infancy. After a short illness Maria passed away in June of 1720.

Thirty five year old Bach fell in love with nineteen year old Anna magdaler Wilcken, within eighteen months after the death of Maria. They were married in December of 1721, they had thirteen children with several of them dying at young ages. Some of his surviving children went on to become composers.

Anna was a very gifted soprano, and at one point in their marriage made more money then her famous husband. Bach dedicated a lot of his compositions to her. She would help him transcribe music for him and organize musical events with the whole family singing and playing.

As Bach aged, his eye sight was going and a noted ophthalmologist performed an unsuccessful surgery. A chorale prelude (Before thy throne I now appear) for the organ dictated to his son in law Altnikol was his final work written from Bach's deathbed. He died on July 28,1750 do to the surgical complications.

Some of his greatest hits were Brandenburg concertos, and The Mass in B minor. Out of all his compositions, only about 200 survived

Learn more about this author, Carolyn Lanier.
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