Bach

Bach had a lifelong devotion to musical learning. Throughout his years he collected a vast personal library of compositions, manuscripts, and other writings of vocal and instrumental music which he diligently studied, practised, and reworked for his own use and for teaching purposes. He was also committed to analysing and rewriting his own compositions, always striving for systematic perfection. There was never an end to musical potential in Bach’s mind, and his studious personality led him to be the great musical scholar he is known to be Bach was stubbornly independent throughout his life, always needing to have freedom in his life and musical work. For example, he would take trips on his own, sometimes trekking hundreds of miles on foot, in order to hear the music of professionals like Johann Adam Reinken. He further ventured out on his own and made the decision to graduate from Latin school, instead of leaving early to start a musical apprenticeship like his brothers, showing his desire to follow different paths and explore greater opportunities. “Ceaseless work, analysis, reflection, writing much, endless self-correction, that is my secret.” nterestingly, Bach is also noted as having a good relationship with wine, beer, brandy, tobacco, and coffee. The expenses for beer, brandy, and tobacco were paid by his employer, as they were conventionally enjoyed by most men at the time. Wine was an expensive and welcome delicacy, and coffee was apparently a necessity. Bach even wrote a “coffee cantata’ for a performance at Zimmerman’s Coffeehouse, further declaring his love for the beverage. While in Leipzig, Bach’s living arrangements were enjoyable and convenient for him and his growing family. The spacious apartment had two stories and was situated straight across from the St. Thomas School, making Bach’s daily work commute effortless. In 1731, the building was renovated, with cast iron heating stoves installed, which would have been an exceptional luxury for many at the time. Outside of studying, practising, teaching and composing music, Bach’s home life would have further included tasks relative to the standard practices of the 1700s. Bach’s morning routine likely included cleaning and shaving his face, perfuming and powdering his wig, and spot-cleaning his clothing. Clothing of wool, silk, or linen was most common, with men such as Bach dressing every day in a long-sleeve collared shirt topped with a button-down vest, with knee-length trousers, cotton leggings, and an overcoat. Laundry in the early 18th century was uncommon, as it was a rigorous and lengthy process. Aside from beverages such as coffee, beer, and wine, Bach would enjoy his meals with his family that would have primarily consisted of bread, meat, fish, eggs, milk, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and preserved foods. Bread and potatoes were a significant food item in the middle-class diet. Meat would have included chicken or mutton, and local vegetables such as carrots, onions, and cabbage were popular. Cooking the food was a particularly hazardous daily task, which needed an open fire over an open hearth. Lack of refrigeration and running water would have also made preparing and planning meals for the day a tedious and demanding process. Moreover, Bach’s nightly routine would have included sleeping in a bed made of a sewn linen or cotton bag filled with cotton, feathers, straw, or wool and topped with a wool blanket. Fluffing the bed and reshaping it was an everyday household chore. Burning out any candles or lamps at night was also of extreme importance, as fires were one of the leading causes of death at the time.

In his youth, Bach’s home was constantly filled with music. Growing up in a musical household, he was accustomed to being around journeyman, apprentices, and professionals alike, all within his father’s home. As a young man, he would have taken much of his free time and devoted it to more study, practising, and composing new material. As he grew older in Leipzig, it is hard to imagine that his busy professional life would not have persistently spilt over into his home life. In fact, his son is quoted at calling the Leipzig apartment a “beehive”, with students, musical colleagues, and professional guests coming in and out of the house frequently.