I Missed It!

Well I missed it.  Kind of unusual, but it happened.  And it was a birthday of a very important person.  It was yesterday, so I'm one day late.  This individual has the respect of almost every person that I know.  He has influenced millions, especially in the Western hemisphere.


Now I should clarify, that while still influential, this person is dead.  But as it will be for all of us, his "works do follow" him (Revelation 14:13).  And with great impact, I must say!


He was quite a prolific fellow.  His work and his God was everything to him, and his output of work is voluminous.  And he had 20 children!  


I am referencing Johann Sebastian Bach, who was born 327 years ago yesterday, March 21.  And his impact is still felt around the world today.  This is a man who wrote approximately 300 sacred cantata's, and we still have (and use) nearly 200 of them.  Bach's original chorale tunes and his arrangements of those from other composers can be found in most good hymnals today.  


His contribution to the world of instrumental music is phenomenal as well.  Most prominent is music for the organ.  His contribution to instrumental chamber music dominates much of the baroque period.


I am fortunate to have been exposed to the tradition of authentic performance practice while in college, and in worship.  It has been a privilege to  know people like John Brombaugh, Judy Glass, Bruce Fowkes, Ralph Richards, and Harald Vogel who have taken the steps necessary to bring JSB back to life.  This has been done through music performed on instruments built for authentic sound, and through performers dedicated to giving modern listeners an accurate experience of what Bach produced during his lifetime.

What Bach produced in his life is worthy of emulation.  And if he was here to comment about it, he'd likely state that it was only through the help of God.  And Bach dedicated all of it to his Creator.  Soli Deo Gloria!