In 1703 Bach was invited by Johann Ernst, younger brother of Duke Wilhelm Ernst, to join his orchestra at Weimar as a violinist with the title of “Hof-musikus,” or Court musician. This brought him into contact with a great deal of instrumental music, especially Italian works, and among musicians he there met Westhoff, the Duke’s private secretary, a good violinist, and Johann Effler an organist.

First appointment

From Weimar he paid a visit to Arnstadt, only a few miles off, the former meeting-place of his family. Here he had an opportunity of trying the organ lately erected in the “New Church,” the organist of which was Börner, a man of no great attainments. The Consistory heard him, and, at once dismissing Börner, offered Bach the post: a high-handed proceeding, which they softened by making Börner “organist at Matins” and deputy to the Franciscan Church, on his full salary. Bach’s salary was raised by outside contributions, and the youth of eighteen found himself more highly paid than any of his fellow officials.

On August 14th, 1703, he was solemnly installed, and exhorted to industry and fidelity in his calling, and to act as an honourable servant and organist before God, the authorities, and his superiors. His official duties were to play on Sunday and Thursday mornings, and at one service on Mondays; so that he had ample leisure for study.

The Keyboards of Bach’s Arnstadt Organ now in the Rathhaus

The organ, which was a very fine one of two manuals, had the following stops:

Oberwerk (Great).

Brust-positiv (Choir).