Bach Haus

We ran into some missionaries on our way to the Bach Haus and after visiting with them (they told us they were so excited to hear english), we didn't make it to the museum before it closed. We took a few pictures from the outside and read what information they have.

This is the exterior wall of the building. The building was purchased in 1710 by the affluent Georg Bose. After purchasing he added onto the building in the back, building 19 rooms around the courtyard and a banquet hall in the back.

There are 2 plaques on the front wall that talk about JS and Anna Magdalena and say to imagine this is where they lived. They actually lived across the street in an apartment of the Thomas school house that was torn down in 1902. Bach was the cantor (choir director) for the Thomas church. They were very good friends with the Bose family during the time they lived next door from 1723-1750 (when Bach died).

Rough translation:

Imagine this is where the old Thomas school was until 1902 where JS Bach lived and worked from 1723-1750

Rough translation again:

Anna Magdalena Bach, born Wilcke, lived in this place from 1723 to 1750. The former singer was the second wife of JS Bach and mother of a lot of children. Her handwriting is found in a variety of sheet music manuscripts of Bach's compositions. JS devoted a Notebook to his wife between 1722 and 1725.

One of the walls of the building surrounding the courtyard.

A piano bench :)

Thomaskirche

Bach memorial statue outside the Thomaskirche

Inside the Thomaskirche

Altar above the remains of Bach

"Says":

JS Bach regularly received his holy supper in the choir room

The Baptismal font of 11 of his 13 children with Anna Magdalena (or of just his 11th child) stands in the church today

And that his remains have been in the church since 1949.

The old organ, but not as old as from Bach's time

The new organ built for the 250th Anniversary of Bach's death was built to resemble (in both look and sound) the organ Bach would have played.

Stained glass of Bach

Stained glass of Mendelssohn

As director of the Gewandhaus orchestra, he was very important in growing music in Leipzig. He also started the revival of Bach's choral music and was a large part of the Bach memorial.

Seal of Bach. I thought it was very cool and want to make one for Brandon. Can you see the J, S and B?