About the Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach) (March 21, 1685–July 28, 1750) was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroqueperiod and brought it to its ultimate maturity. Although he did not introduce new forms, he enriched the prevailing German style with a robust contrapuntal technique, an unrivaled control of harmonic and motivic organization, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France.
Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognized as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. Bach was best known during his lifetime as an organist, organ consultant, and composer of organ works in both the traditional German free genres--such as preludes, fantasias, and toccatas--and stricter forms, such as choral preludes and fugue.
He established a reputation at a young age for his great creativity and ability to integrate foreign styles into his organ works. Early in his career, he served as the church organist in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, where he began composing many of his organ works and cantatas. In 1708, Bach became the court organist in Weimar, where he had the opportunity to play and compose for the organ, as well as perform a varied repertoire of concert music with the duke's ensemble. From 1717-1723, he served as Kappellmeister of the court orchestra of Prince Leopold in Cöthen. A kappellmeister was director of music for a monarch or nobleman, in Bach's case it was the court of Prince Leopold of Cöthen. While here, Bach composed the Brandenburg Concerti, the first part of The Well-Tempered Clavier, sonatas and partitas for solo violin, the six cello suites, along with many other works. Following his service in the court of Prince Leopold, Bach spent the remaining years of his life serving as the cantor of St. Thomas' church in Leipzig. His main responsibility was to provide church music on Sundays and important holidays, which led to a massive output of musical works on his part. These works included the St. John and Matthew's passions, the Mass in B minor, the Goldberg Variations, the second part of The Well-Tempered Clavier, the Art of Fugue, and hundreds of cantatas.
Other Major Works by J.S. Bach
-Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
-Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor
-Cello Suites (6 suites)
-Brandenburg Concerti (6 concertos)
-St. Matthew's Passion
-Mass in B Minor
-The Well-Tempered Clavier
-The Art of Fugue
Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognized as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. Bach was best known during his lifetime as an organist, organ consultant, and composer of organ works in both the traditional German free genres--such as preludes, fantasias, and toccatas--and stricter forms, such as choral preludes and fugue.
He established a reputation at a young age for his great creativity and ability to integrate foreign styles into his organ works. Early in his career, he served as the church organist in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, where he began composing many of his organ works and cantatas. In 1708, Bach became the court organist in Weimar, where he had the opportunity to play and compose for the organ, as well as perform a varied repertoire of concert music with the duke's ensemble. From 1717-1723, he served as Kappellmeister of the court orchestra of Prince Leopold in Cöthen. A kappellmeister was director of music for a monarch or nobleman, in Bach's case it was the court of Prince Leopold of Cöthen. While here, Bach composed the Brandenburg Concerti, the first part of The Well-Tempered Clavier, sonatas and partitas for solo violin, the six cello suites, along with many other works. Following his service in the court of Prince Leopold, Bach spent the remaining years of his life serving as the cantor of St. Thomas' church in Leipzig. His main responsibility was to provide church music on Sundays and important holidays, which led to a massive output of musical works on his part. These works included the St. John and Matthew's passions, the Mass in B minor, the Goldberg Variations, the second part of The Well-Tempered Clavier, the Art of Fugue, and hundreds of cantatas.
Other Major Works by J.S. Bach
-Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
-Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor
-Cello Suites (6 suites)
-Brandenburg Concerti (6 concertos)
-St. Matthew's Passion
-Mass in B Minor
-The Well-Tempered Clavier
-The Art of Fugue
About the Arranger
Roland L. Moehlmann (1907-1972) was a well-respected band leader and arranger. He studied music in Madison, Wisconsin and at the Hochschule fur Musik in Berlin, Germany. Moehlmann settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as a full time instrumental music teacher for the Cedar Rapids Community School District. In the early 1930’s he began writing a series of band transcriptions of J.S. Bach's Preludes and Fugues.
After returning from military service in World War II, Moehlmann decided the city needed a band to play free public concerts. He organized a band using veteran musicians from the VFW Band along with students from the city schools into what was called "city band." After several successful summer seasons, the town re-organized and enlarged made the group into a city-funded year-round ensemble in 1951, re-naming it "The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.”
In June 1951, the new Cedar Rapids Municipal Band played its first concert under the direction of Roland L. Moehlmann, who served as director until 1967. In the 1960's, he transcribed and published band arrangements of music by composers such as Mozart and Dvorak. He also wrote many band accompaniments for soloists who performed with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. Today, around 125 of his unpublished manuscripts exist. Many of these have been rented out and performed all over the United States.
After returning from military service in World War II, Moehlmann decided the city needed a band to play free public concerts. He organized a band using veteran musicians from the VFW Band along with students from the city schools into what was called "city band." After several successful summer seasons, the town re-organized and enlarged made the group into a city-funded year-round ensemble in 1951, re-naming it "The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.”
In June 1951, the new Cedar Rapids Municipal Band played its first concert under the direction of Roland L. Moehlmann, who served as director until 1967. In the 1960's, he transcribed and published band arrangements of music by composers such as Mozart and Dvorak. He also wrote many band accompaniments for soloists who performed with the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. Today, around 125 of his unpublished manuscripts exist. Many of these have been rented out and performed all over the United States.