Johann Sebastion Bach: The Trials and the Turmoil.

Johann Sebastian Bach, a celebrity in the realm of classical music, stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky. Born into a musical dynasty in 1685 Germany, Bach’s legacy is etched in the annals of composition, boasting an astounding 1128 pieces over 65 years, with an additional 23 compositions lost or left incomplete. A significant portion of his creations were dedicated to the divine, with nearly three-quarters crafted for the church, while the rest maintained spiritual undertones.

In a remarkable display of creative prowess, Bach embarked on an extraordinary endeavour, fashioning a new cantata every week for three consecutive years. This labour-intensive process involved setting German religious or biblical texts to music, orchestrating scores for each instrument, copying parts for the ensemble, rehearsing, and ultimately directing the performance—a staggering feat that showcased his unparalleled dedication.

Bach’s life rested on three pillars: music, family, and faith. To him, music and faith were inseparable, with the purpose of all music being the “glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.” Despite not being a natural prodigy, Bach tirelessly mastered instruments and delved into the intricacies of the Bible, viewing himself as “a theologian and preacher who communicated in music.” Each composition concluded with the words “Soli Deo Gloria,” signifying glory to God alone.

Bach’s musical life, despite its widespread renown, was not without immense hardships. In fact, many have proposed that the complexity, depth and intricacy of his music comes from the intensely painful experiences he endured. Bach lost both his parents before reaching 10 years of age and was raised by his oldest brother. At 22 years of age, Bach married Maria Barbara and together they had seven children, of which only four survived to adulthood. Then, after a two-month overseas work trip, Bach returned home to find his wife had died suddenly and been buried without his knowledge. Within such a short time frame, Bach had lost both his parents, his wife and three of his children—it is needless to say that Bach was familiar with deep sorrow. After some time, Bach remarried. His second wife was Anna Magdalena with whom he had 13 children, however only six of these children lived to adulthood.

They say the hardest pain is that of losing one’s child . . . like the biblical Job, Bach lost 10. No words can describe the magnitude of loss that Bach suffered. When you hear Bach’s music, you know it comes from the depths of his heart. His inner despair and heartbreak carried through to his music, creating some of the most moving pieces of music in history. Yet despite the sorrow, each piece of music was infused with his unwavering faith in God.

In the words of Romans 5:3-5, (NLT) “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Bach’s life exemplifies this journey through pain, illustrating that from the depths of despair, a powerful melody of faith can emerge. The discordant notes of life, while seemingly arbitrary, may find reason and purpose when intertwined with faith.

Bach’s legacy is a testament to the transformative power of faith amid adversity. Like a beacon in the darkest night, his music reminds us that the greater the darkness we face, the brighter the “music” of faith becomes. In the symphony of life, our struggles can offer solace and understanding to others. Remaining faithful in times of suffering illuminates the truth of the gospel—that our God walks with us through the valleys, sharing in our griefs and hardships, ensuring we are never alone in the journey.

From the dark vales that this fallen world contains, we will eventually emerge to the meadow of eternity where there is curse no longer. It is there that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!