Arnstadt Organist Appointment
Bach became organist at the New Church in Arnstadt.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Johann Sebastian Bach Biography and Timeline
Follow Johann Sebastian Bach through 44 dated historical records for Germany.
Johann Sebastian Bach, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
44Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1703–1742Years on this page
1703
1705
Walk to Lubeck
Bach travelled to Lubeck to hear the organist Dieterich Buxtehude.
1706
Arnstadt Leave Dispute
Bach faced criticism for extending his absence from Arnstadt beyond the authorised leave.
1707
Muhlhhausen Organist Appointment
Bach accepted the organist position at Saint Blasius Church in Muhlhausen.
Marriage to Maria Barbara
Bach married his cousin Maria Barbara Bach at Dornheim.
1708
Gott Ist Mein Konig Performed
Bach's council election cantata Gott ist mein Konig was performed in Muhlhausen.
Weimar Court Organist Appointment
Bach entered the service of the Weimar ducal court.
1714
Ich Hatte Viel Bekummernis
Composition of "Ich Hatte Viel Bekummernis"
Weimar Concertmaster Promoted
Bach became concertmaster at Weimar and acquired regular cantata responsibilities.
Himmelskonig Sei Willkommen Performed
Bach's Palm Sunday cantata Himmelskonig sei willkommen was performed in Weimar.
Ich Hatte Viel Bekummernis Revised
Bach's cantata Ich hatte viel Bekummernis was associated with his Weimar period.
1717
Kothen Kapellmeister Appointment
Bach became Kapellmeister to Prince Leopold of Anhalt Kothen.
1720
Maria Barbara Bach Dies
Bach's first wife Maria Barbara died while he was away from home.
1721
Brandenburg Concerti
Composition of "Brandenburg Concerti"
Brandenburg Concertos Dedicated
Bach dedicated six concertos to Christian Ludwig Margrave of Brandenburg.
Marriage to Anna Magdalena
Bach married the court singer Anna Magdalena Wilcke.
1722
Well Tempered Clavier First Book
Bach assembled the first book of the Well Tempered Clavier in Kothen.
1723
St John Passion
Composition of "St John Passion"
Leipzig Cantor Audition
Bach auditioned for the vacant Thomaskantor position in Leipzig.
Leipzig Thomaskantor Appointment
Bach took up his appointment as Thomaskantor and director of music in Leipzig.
Die Elenden Sollen Essen Performed
Bach introduced the cantata Die Elenden sollen essen at the start of his Leipzig tenure.
Magnificat First Version Performed
An early version of Bach's Magnificat was performed during the Leipzig Christmas season.
1724
St John Passion Premiere
Bach's St John Passion was first performed in Leipzig on Good Friday.
Chorale Cantata Cycle Begins
Bach began his second Leipzig cantata cycle using Lutheran chorales.
University Church Duties Disputed
Bach disagreed with Johann Gottlieb Gorner about musical responsibilities at the university church.
1725
Easter Oratorio
Composition of "Easter Oratorio"
Anna Magdalena Notebook Compiled
Bach helped assemble a second notebook of keyboard music for Anna Magdalena.
Third Cantata Cycle Developed
Bach worked on material associated with his third Leipzig cantata cycle.
1727
St Matthew Passion First Version
An early version of Bach's St Matthew Passion was performed in Leipzig.
1729
Collegium Musicum Direction Begins
Bach took charge of Leipzig's Collegium Musicum.
1730
Well Appointed Church Music Memorandum
Bach submitted a memorandum about musical resources to Leipzig's city council.
1731
St Mark Passion First Performed
Bach's St Mark Passion was first presented in Leipzig.
Clavierubung First Part Begins
Bach started publishing keyboard partitas that formed the first part of Clavierubung.
1733
Kyrie Gloria Mass Presented
Bach prepared a Kyrie and Gloria for the Saxon electoral court.
1734
Christmas Oratorio Begins Performances
Bach's Christmas Oratorio was performed across the Christmas season in Leipzig.
1735
Christmas Oratorio Concludes
The final instalments of Bach's Christmas Oratorio were performed in early January.
1736
Court Composer Title Granted
Bach received the title of court composer from the Saxon electoral court.
1739
Clavierubung Third Part Published
Bach issued the third part of Clavierubung containing organ compositions.
1741
Goldberg Variations Published
Bach's set of keyboard variations was published as the fourth part of Clavierubung.
1742
Well Tempered Clavier Second Book
Bach compiled the second book of the Well Tempered Clavier.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.