JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Ohdruf 1695-1700 Lüneburg 1700-1702 Weimar 1703 Arnstadt 1703-1707 Mühlhausen 1707-1708

Weimar 1708-1717 Cöthen 1717-1723 Leipzig 1723-1729 Leipzig 1729-1740 Leipzig 1744-1750

WEIMAR (first term): 1703

While awaiting the completion of the organ at Arnstadt, Johann Sebastian was offered, and accepted the post of violinist in the small chamber orchestra of Duke Johann Ernst, the younger brother of the Duke of Weimar. At Lüneburg Johann Sebastian had already experienced church choir music, violin, continuo and organ playing, as well as musical composition and performance in the French style. Here at Weimar he now came into contact with Italian instrumental music, and acted as deputy to the aging Court organist, Effler, an old friend of the Bach family, thus having a chance to keep his organ playing in practice. His stay here was short, but he was to return later.
In July 1703 the Arnstadt Town Council invited young Bach to try out the newly finished organ in the 'New Church'. He so impressed the people of Arnstadt with his brilliant playing at the dedication that he was immediately offered the post of organist on very favorable terms.