Johann Jacob Bach

Johann Jacob Bach (or Johann Jakob) (11 February 1682 (baptised) – 16 April 1722) was a German musician, composer and an older brother of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Bach is thought to have been born in Eisenach. After his studies at the Latin school there, he became oboist in the municipal band. After the death of their father Johann Ambrosius Bach in 1695, Johann Jacob and Johann Sebastian moved in with their older brother Johann Christoph Bach, organist at Ohrdruf. In 1704, he entered the service in the military band of the army of King Charles XII of Sweden. It is thought that Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his Capriccio on the departure of his Beloved Brother BWV 992 on this occasion.

In 1709, he participated in the Battle of Poltava. During his stay in Constantinople, he studied flute under Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin. From 1713 to 1722, he served as flutist in the court of the Stockholm capelle. He died childless in 1722 in Stockholm and is buried there.

Johann Jacob played oboe, flute and possibly violin. He probably composed the Sonata in C minor under the pseudonym Signor Bach.

Famous quotes containing the words jacob and/or bach:

    I was not unemployed in my profession by the late John Jacob Astor; a name which, I admit, I love to repeat, for it hath a rounded and orbicular sound to it, and rings like unto bullion.
    Herman Melville (1819–1891)

    Music is the effort we make to explain to ourselves how our brains work. We listen to Bach transfixed because this is listening to a human mind.
    Lewis Thomas (b. 1913)