To hear him play would make you laugh.
He plays, you must know, in a way of his own,
And wears a fine beard by which he is known.”
Erdmann laughed loudly. “He must have been a queer fellow,” said he. “He would have suited me.”
“He ought to have suited anyone,” said Sebastian. “His musical talent descended to his three sons. Johann was organist at the church in Erfurt, known as the ‘Predige Church’; Christoph, my grandfather, died as a member of the Arnstadt town band; and Heinrich as town organist, also in Arnstadt. The family tendency was so strong in him, my father used to say, that even as a boy he would run miles to hear an organ played and to learn something. All three of these have composed some excellent music.”
“It is remarkable,” said Erdmann.
“Yes, and Johann as well as Heinrich had three sons. All six became musicians, and their children and grandchildren after them.”
“Who would have believed it? It is astonishing! Now tell me about your good father.”
“He was truly a distinguished musician. The people of Eisenach thoroughly appreciated their Court and town musician. His resemblance to his twin brother, Johann Christoph, was remarkable. My mother has often told me that she and her sister-in-law could not have told them apart when they were together but for their dress. They were also wonderfully alike in disposition, speech, gait, and sentiments. They were exactly similar in the style and execution of their music, also. When one of them was sick the other was, and they died almost at the same time. Is it not both beautiful and touching?”
“It is so. You Bachs are indeed a peculiar family. Take care, Bastian, that you also prove a worthy member of it.”