At age 13, Beethoven publicly performed a set of Bach's Preludes and Fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier in 1783.
Critical Reception
During his lifetime, Bach's fame was largely confined to Saxony and Thuringia, where he was recognized primarily as a master of the organ and polyphony.
Cultural Impact
Mozart collected Bach fugues in 1782 and was amazed by a performance of Bach's Motets in Leipzig in 1789.
Notable Performances
Bach's St Matthew Passion, one of his greatest works, was only performed twice during his lifetime and not heard again until Mendelssohn conducted it in 1829.
Historical Context
From 1730, when Bach was 45, his musical style began to fall out of fashion as a new generation of composers introduced different styles.
Critical Reception
The Brandenburg Concertos were not published until 1850, after being rediscovered in the Brandenburg archives.
Cultural Impact
Bach's sons, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emanuel, were important composers of their generation and helped preserve their father's musical heritage.
