Johann Sebastian Bach is undoubtedly among the most celebrated of Baroque composers, and to many the great composer in all history. The era of the late 17th and early 18th centuries in which he lived, however, means that his life was not as well documented as (say) Beethoven's was.In particular, I am interested in the following points relating to his musical career and pursuits: * Bach came from a family of notable amateur and professional musicians. Was he exposed greatly to instruments/musical theory/composition at a young age? * What sort of formal training and musical education did Bach undergo? * Was he self-taught in one or more areas of theory/composition/performance? * Bach's style is often said to blend North & South German with Italian (and even French) styles to varying degrees. Did any in particular dominate him? How did he acquaint himself with such a wide range of music at the time? * Which contemporary/past composers did Bach most admire, and which influenced his own music most? (I am aware he transcribed many of Antonio Vivaldi's pieces, and was also familiar with Buxtehude's work.)How much do we know about these things? Or if little, does anyone perhaps have any educated opinions in these respects?
Yes, Bach was definitely exposed greatly. His father was a violinist and his older brother, who practically raised him, was a organist like JS Bach himself.
Most of Bach's basic music education was at the church. He was a choir boy at a very young age, and soon to be the kapell master in his early twenties. Again, his brother, father, and the church taught him theory and composition
He was definitely part of the German tradition through and through.
During the Baroque Era, musicians were a special kind of servant of the court either to a royal or the church. Bach was told what to write from his patrons.
Bach was probably influenced of Monteverdi or Vivaldi.
They wrote many letters that historians and musicologists found and analyzed
