J. Christoph Bach
Johann Christoph Bach (No. 13) was born at Arnstadt, and studied under his father Heinrich (No. 6). He was appointed organist at Eisenach in 1665, which post he held till his death sixty years later. He and his brother Michael (No. 14) were born during the worst time of the disturbance produced by the war, yet such was the vigour of their race that, uninfluenced by the general degeneracy and misery, they both became celebrated composers, Michael leaning towards instrumental, and Christoph to vocal music.
A Church Cantata
Johann Christoph composed many chorale-vorspiele for the organ, of which forty-eight are preserved in a MS. formerly belonging to Spitta. The themes are worked out on the same lines as those of John Sebastian, but in a more elementary form. His vocal compositions are, however, much in advance of his instrumental works, and he seems certainly to have been the most important member of his family before his great nephew appeared.
An organist’s income
Johann Michael Bach (No. 14) was an accomplished organist. His character may be imagined from the account of his appointment to the organistship of Gehren near Arnstadt, when we are told that after his examination, the authorities thanked the Count for having sent them a peaceable, retiring, and skillful performer. He was also made parish clerk, and his income from the two posts amounted to 74 gülden, 18 cords of wood, 5 measures of corn, 9 measures of barley, 3½ barrels of beer, some land, and a house free of rent. Besides being a composer he made clavichords and violins. His youngest daughter became Sebastian Bach’s first wife. A cantata on “Ach! bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ” by him is preserved in the Bach archives in the Royal Library at Berlin, “full of interesting details and ingenious ideas.”[4] It is scored for four voices, two violins, three violas, bassoon, and organ, and is preceded by a “sonata.” Twelve of his motets are preserved, but they are incoherent in structure, being composed in a time of transition. Some of them are to be accompanied by strings which double the various voice parts, and ten of them are interwoven with chorales. In “Das Blut Jesu Christi” for five voices “the deep feeling of the compositions overcomes us with irresistible power, and one forgets the imperfection of the body in the beauty of the soul which shines through.”[5] Four of the motets are for double chorus and in some one can feel “the romantic spirit of Sebastian Bach.”
Other Bachs
Johann Günther Bach (No. 15) was a good organist, and deputised for his father when absent from Arnstadt. Little is known of his life, but Hilgenfeldt says he is mentioned as a capable instrument maker as well as organist.
Johann Jacob Bach (No. 16) did not follow the musical profession.
Johann Christoph Bach (No. 17), also born at Erfurt, was cantor and organist of Unterzimmern near Erfurt. In 1698 he succeeded Michael Bach in the Cantorship at Gehren. He was threatened with removal by the Arnstadt authorities on account of his temper, though the threat was never carried out. He died in 1727.