Johann Sebastian Bach Quotes

I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.

There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself.

Jesu, joy of man's desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty's fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.

Like all music, the figured bass should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the recreation of the soul; where this is not kept in mind there is no true music, but only an infernal clamour and ranting.

Jesus bleibet meine Freude,
Meines Herzens Trost und Saft,
Jesus wehret allem Leide,
Er ist meines Lebens Kraft,
Meiner Augen Lust und Sonne,
Meiner Seele Schatz und Wonne;
Darum laß ich Jesum nicht
Aus dem Herzen und Gesicht.

Anyone who works as I do will succeed as I do.

Anyone who works as hard as I do will succeed as I do.

The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.

What I have achieved by industry and practice, anyone else with tolerable natural gift and ability can also achieve.

"These are the ugliest people I have ever seen in my life. I have to buy this!" When looking at the back of Metallica's Kill 'Em All.

I have always kept one end in view, namely ... to conduct a well-regulated church music to the honour of God.

Und soll wie aller Musik also auch des Generalbasses Finis und Endursache anders nicht als nur zu Gottes Ehre und Recreation des Gemütes sein. Wo dieses nicht in acht genommen wird, ists keine eigentliche Musik, sondern ein Teuflisches Geplerr und Geleier.

Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.

Where there is devotional music, God with his grace is always present.

Bei einer andächtigen Musik ist allezeit Gott mit seiner Gnaden Gegenwart.