Johann Sebastian Bach (101 page)

 

Sep. 28

In Wiederau: performance of BWV 30a

 

Oct. 18

Cousin Johann Elias Bach begins service as private secretary to Bach and tutor of his children

 

Oct. 30

Daughter Johanna Carolina baptized

 

Dec. 12

The king's decree in the dispute between Bach and Ernesti

 

Dec. 16

Organ examination in Weissensee

1738

Jan. 8

Publication of Johann Abraham Birnbaum's defense against Scheibe's attack

 

Spring

C. P. E. Bach appointed harpsichordist of the crown prince, later King Friedrich II of Prussia

 

May 22

In Dresden for several days

1739

Jan. 28

Son Johann Gottfried Bernhard registers at the University of Jena

 

Mar. 27

Good Friday: cancellation of Passion performance

 

May 27

Death of son Johann Gottfried Bernhard (age 24)

 

Aug. 11

Son Wilhelm Friedemann back home for 4 weeks; concerts with lutenists Silvius Leopold Weiss and Johann Kropffgans of Dresden

 

Sep. 7

In Altenburg: dedication of organ at the Castle Church

 

Fall

Michaelmas Fair: publication of part III of the
Clavier-Übung

 

Oct. 2

Resumes directorship of the Collegium Musicum

 

Nov. 7–14

Trip to Weissenfels with Anna Magdalena (no details known)

1740

Apr. 17

Trip to Halle (no details known)

1741

Aug. 5

Trip to Berlin, for at least one week (no details known)

 

Fall

Michaelmas Fair(?): publication of part IV of the
Clavier-Übung

 

Nov. 17

Extended trip to Dresden (return on Nov. 17); visit with Count Keyserlingk 1742 Feb. 22 Daughter Regina Susanna baptized

 

May 13–20

Official state mourning period after the death of Empress Maria Amalia

 

Aug. 30

In Kleinzschocher: performance of BWV 212

 

Oct. 31

Johann Elias Bach leaves Leipzig and his post as private secretary to Bach and tutor of his children

1743

Dec. 13

Organ examination at St. John's in Leipzig

1745

Nov. 30–Dec. 25

Occupation of Leipzig by Prussian troops

1746

Apr. 16

Son Wilhelm Friedemann appointed organist and music director of Our Lady's (Market) Church in Halle

 

Aug. 7

Organ examination in Zschortau, near Leipzig

 

Sep. 24–28

Organ examination in Naumburg, St. Wenceslas's Church

1747

c. May 7–8

Trip to Potsdam and Berlin: visit with King Friedrich II of Prussia in Potsdam (May 7); organ recital in the Church of the Holy Spirit (May 8); visits new opera house in Berlin

 

Jun.

Accepts membership in the Society of Musical Science (L. C. Mizler, secretary, present in Leipzig); contributes publication of
Canonic Variations,
BWV 769

 

Jul. 7

Dedication of
Musical Offering
, BWV 1079

 

Jul. 28

Start of major organ repairs at St. Thomas's

 

Sep.

Michaelmas Fair: publication of
Musical Offering,
BWV 1079

 

Nov.

Examination of renovated organ at St. Thomas's

1748

Sep. 26

Grandson Johann Sebastian Bach, son of C. P. E. Bach, baptized in Berlin (Bach not present)

 

Dec. 21

Audition of town musicians

1749

Jan. 20

Daughter Elisabeth Juliana Friederica marries Bach's former student Johann Christoph Altnickol

 

Apr. 2

Corresponds with Count Questenberg of Moravia

 

Apr. 4

Last performance of the
St. John Passion

 

Apr.

Conference with organ builder Heinrich Andreas Cuntzius

 

May 6

Sale of a fortepiano to Count Branitzky of Poland

 

May 12

Gets involved in the Bidermann affair mid-May Hit by sudden critical illness

 

Jun. 8

Premature audition of Gottlob Harrer (capellmeister to Count Brühl in Dresden) for the cantorate at St. Thomas's, at the special request of the Saxon prime minister, takes place in the concert hall “Three Swans”

 

Oct. 6

Grandson Johann Sebastian Altnickol baptized in Naumburg (Bach not present); buried Dec. 21

 

Nov. 30

First Sunday in Advent: W. F. Bach performs his cantata Fk 80 in Leipzig

1750

Jan.

Appointment of son Johann Christoph Friedrich as court musician of Count Wilhelm of Schaumburg-Lippe in Bückeburg

 

Feb. 2

Purification (or Mar. 25, Visitation): C. P. E. Bach performs his Magnificat, Wq 215, in Leipzig

 

Mar. 28–31

First operation by the London eye surgeon Dr. John Taylor

 

Apr. 5–8

Second operation by Dr. Taylor

 

May 4

Arrival of Bach's last pupil, Johann Gottfried Müthel, in Leipzig

 

May 17

Whitsunday: Bach's assistant Johann Adam Franck appointed substitute and eventually interim cantor, through Sept. 1751

 

Jul. 22

After a stroke, receives last communion at home

 

Jul. 28

Death (age 65) at “a little after” 8:15
P.M
.

 

Jul. 31

Burial at St. John's Cemetery