Famous Instruments in History: The Organ of Johann Sebastian Bach

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Johann Sebastian Bach
Public Domain

Johann Sebastian Bach is a household name today. He is known as a masterful musician and a gifted composer. But during Bach's lifetime, he was better known as an organist. 

When compiling my list of the most famous instruments in history, I figured Bach's organ had to be on the list. However, I was surprised to find that while Bach owned many instruments, he didn't own an organ, the instrument he was most known for. 

Why didn't Bach own an organ?

That was my question as well. Turns out, in those days, they didn't have the small household organs we have today, they only had the massive, piped organs you see built into the walls of churches. These were not considered personal property but rather part of the architecture and infrastructure of the building, so the organ was owned by the institution, such as the church or royalty, rather than by the musician that was hired to play them. 

Then, what is considered the Bach organ?

Bach's entire professional career was built around the organ. From his very first appointment, he was playing the organ. So there are several instruments that are attributed to Bach.

The first resides at the Bach Church in Arnstadt. When Johann first came to work there, it was known as the New Church. The previous one had burned down, so a new one had been constructed on the same site. The organ was built by Johann Friedrich Wender, and inspected by eighteen-year-old Bach upon its completion. He was hired shortly afterwards to be the church organist. However, he only served here for a short time. After his term, his cousin took over, continuing the legacy of an organist by the name of Bach. While the organ has been altered and repaired over the centuries, it is the closest to the original that Bach played out of all the organs on record. The church was renamed after Bach in 1935 to honor Bach's connection to that church.

Current version of the Wender organ in the Bach Church, Arnstadt
Mtag, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Johann Sebastian Bach Church Anstadt
By Michael Sander - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0,

The second would be the organ at the court of Duke Wilhelm Ernst at Weimar. This is the organ Bach used to compose the majority of his organ compositions. It was considered his golden age as an organ composer. However this organ was later destroyed by fire, so it no longer exists. 

The third is the organ at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig Germany. This church is often referred to as "Bach's Church" although that is not its official name. Bach was the music director there from 1723 until his death in 1750. The building has been rebuilt or renovated many times and the organ from Bach's time is no longer present. However, they did build a replica of Bach's organ there in 2000. Bach's remains are now buried in the church, although they were not there originally. There is also a statue honoring Bach in front of the church. For these reasons, this is the church and organ most famous and commonly referred to as "Bach's". 

St. Thomas Church
By Dirk Goldhahn - Fotografiert von Dirk Goldhahn.,
Public Domain

Statue of Bach in front of St. Thomas Church
By Eric Pancer - I (Creative Commons)

Did Bach own any instruments?

While Bach didn't own an organ, he did own many other instruments. The inventory of his estate included five harpsichords, two Lautenwerckes otherwise known as lute harpsichords (which we will have to circle back to, because it is super interesting.), a spinet, three violins, three violas, two cellos, one lute, and several other instruments. These instruments were the ones he took with him and used at home to compose and also teach his students. 

Another fun fact is that Bach, in addition to being a masterful musician of many instruments, also had a wonderful voice. In fact, his scholarship to music school was because of his voice, not his instrument playing. 

Which of these organs do YOU think should be considered "The Bach Organ"? 

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for family, faith, facts and fiction. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with her prince charming and two boys. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/  and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Famous Instruments in History: Mozart's Fortepiano

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Public Domain

Today, in our journey to explore the most famous instruments in history, we find a familiar name. The name of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is so well known that I doubt any of you have NEVER heard of him. But did you know that he had a pet instrument during the most successful phase of his life?

Mozart was a child prodigy when it came to music. By age five, he was already proficient on the piano and violin and even performed before European royalty. Mozart's father, Leopold, was a musician and a teacher who had written a violin textbook that became successful. However, when his young son started composing, and he began to see how talented he was, he just gave up composing his own music altogether. I couldn't help but laugh when I discovered that, as I have a five-year-old who is also talented... not to the level of Mozart, obviously, but I could relate to the feeling of giving up on your own talent and just investing in your child's. 

Although a musical genius, Mozart struggled financially for most of his life.  After he resigned from a low-paying commission at the Salzburg Court, he wandered for some time seeking employment but was largely disappointed. He became so financially desperate that he started to pawn off valuables. He was paid here and there for compositions but had nothing consistent. Finally, his father procured for him a commission as court organist and concertmaster with the Archbishop Colloredo. This appointment paid better, but Mozart was still dissatisfied with his life in Salzburg. 

His employer was very jealous of Mozart's talent and tried to prevent him from performing outside of his establishment. This created tension between Mozart and the Archbishop. 

In 1781, Mozart was summoned to Vienna, where his employer was attending celebrations and wanted his musical servant at his disposal. While there, Mozart was intent on introducing himself to the emperor, still believing that he was meant for more than just a pet composer to an archbishop. 

Eventually, he did make the acquaintance of the Emperor and impressed him. Soon, Mozart was presented with the opportunity to perform before the emperor for a fee that was equal to half his yearly salary with the archbishop. This resulted in a bitter quarrel between Mozart and his employer. He attempted to resign, but was refused. About a month later, permission to resign was finally granted, but in the most insulting way possible, with the archbishop's steward literally kicking him on the way out. 

Mozart's father had sided with his employer during the feud, which put their relationship in a difficult state as well. But Mozart was passionate about his desire to stay in Vienna and to continue as a freelance composer and performer. This was a bold move for Mozart at twenty-five years old, but it was one he would not regret. He began to make a name for himself in Vienna, and seemed much happier there. 

In 1782, Mozart purchased a fortepiano from Anton Walter. Anton was a skilled craftsman who was well-known for his instruments. He is known as the "the most famous Viennese piano maker of his time." Other composers such as Beethoven, Schubert and Haydn also purchased instruments from him. 

Mozart's Walter Fortepiano 
By Bapak Alex - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Walter fortepiano quickly became Mozart's favorite instrument. It was upon this fortepiano that many of his most successful pieces would be composed and played. He often used this instrument when performing. His own father, Leopold, put it this way:

"It is impossible to describe the hustle and bustle. Your brother's pianoforte has been moved at least twelve times from his house to the theatre or to someone else's house."

It is said that the sound from this fortepiano awed and entranced his audience. They marveled at the beautiful sound. 

The two surviving sons of
Wolfgang Amadeus and Constanze Mozart,
Franz and Karl.
by Hans Hansen - Public Domain 

Mozart continued to use this fortepiano until his death in 1791, composing over 50 pieces with this instrument as his partner.


After his death, no one knows for sure where the instrument was housed until Mozart's wife gave the instrument to their oldest son, Karl in 1810. Karl would have been only seven years old when his father passed away and so treasured the piece. In 1856, Karl Mozart donated his father's precious fortepiano to the Cathedral Music Association and Mozarteum in honor of what would have been his father's 100th birthday.

Today, Mozart's fortepiano exhibits in the Mozart family home in Salzburg, where he was born. The home is now a museum, therefore a fitting place for his beloved instrument, even if their life together had been in Vienna.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/  and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!