l
Bach, a composer of no common ability. By these two wives he had
twenty-one children, of whom the most celebrated were Carl Phillipp
Emanuel, born in 1714, known as the "Berlin Bach;" Johann Christoph
Friedrich, born in 1732, the "Buecheburger Bach;" and Johann Christian,
born in 1735, who became famous as the "London Bach." Large as the family
was, it is now extinct. Bach was industrious, simple, honest, and
God-fearing, like all his family. He was an incessant and laborious
writer from necessity, as his compensation was hardly sufficient to
maintain his large family, and nearly all his music was prepared for the
service of the church by contract. The prominent characteristics of his
work are profound knowledge, the clearest statements of form, strength of
logical sequences, imposing breadth, and deep religious sentiment. He was
a favorite of Frederick the Great, who upon one occasion made all his
courtiers stand on one side and do homage to the illustrious composer.
"There is but one Bach," said the monarch. With all Bach's amiable
qualities, it is said that he had a hasty temper. While playing one day,
Goerner, the organist at St. Thomas, struck a false chord; whereupon Bach
flew at him in a passion, tore off his wig and threw it at him,
exclaiming: "You ought to have been a cobbler, instead of an organist!"
Notwithstanding this infirmity of temper, he was a deeply religious man,
and inscribed upon every one of his principal compositions "S. D. G.,"
"to the glory of God alone." He died July 28, 1750, and was buried at
Leipsic; but no cross or stone marks the spot where he lies. His last
composition was the beautiful chorale, "Wenn wir in hoechsten Noethen
sein," freely translated, "When my last hour is close at hand," as it was
written in his last illness. The only record of his death is contained in
the official register: "A man, aged 67, M. Johann Sebastian Bach, musical
director and singing-master at the St. Thomas School, was carried to his
grave in the hearse, July 30, 1750."

The Christmas Oratorio.

The "Christmas Oratorio" was written by Bach in 1734, the subject being
taken from texts in Luke and Matthew pertaining to the nativity. It is
not, as its name would suggest, a work to be performed at a single
hearing, but a composition divided into six parts of divine service,
arranged for the three days of Christmas, New Year's Day, New Year's
Sunday, and the Epiphany, each par