Organists' Influence on JS Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach is known as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, which stretched form 1600 to his death in 1750. In his time, however, Bach was known more for his talent at playing and knowledge of the organ rather than his musical compositions. He spent most of his life employed as an organist. People would come from far and wide to have him test their organs in the thorough and critical way he …

…Back attended performances of Buxtehude's work and discussed the arts with him. Todd McComb wrote that Bach, "derived so many of his flamboyant organ mannerisms from the North German Buxtehude." These flamboyant mannerisms were not well received when he returned to Arnstadt. His congregation was surprised, confused, and a little frightened by his new musical ideas. Consequently, Bach soon left Arnstadt for a new job, and so began his life as an organist and composer.