Johann Sebastian Bach Trivia Questions

The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700 in Italy. Bach later played and endorsed early pianos but didn't invent them.

The 'Air' is from Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3; the 'G String' nickname came from a 19th-century arrangement by violinist August Wilhelmj.

Unlike many composers, Bach never traveled outside the German states—no visits to Italy, France, or England. His world was remarkably contained.

In 1705, Bach took a month-long leave from his job to walk from Arnstadt to Lübeck (roughly 250 miles) to hear the famed organist.

He had 20 children with two wives; only 10 lived past infancy, though several became famous composers like C.P.E. Bach.

While his Six Cello Suites are iconic, earlier composers like Domenico Gabrielli wrote solo cello works before Bach.

In 1717, Bach was imprisoned for nearly four weeks after insisting on leaving his job as court organist; the duke finally released him in disgrace.

Eye surgeon John Taylor performed two botched operations on Bach in 1750, leaving him blind and contributing to his death months later.