#252. Story Time with Sarah: The Wives of J.S. Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach — whom the Lutheran church commemorates on July 28 — was not a Lutheran lady ... but his two wives sure were!

In this Story Time episode, Sarah introduces us to the two wives of J.S. Bach: Maria Barbara Bach (1684–1720) and Anna Magdalena Bach (1701–1760). Between them, these faithful, capable Lutheran women bore Bach 20 children (ten of whom lived to adulthood; four of whom grew up to be composers like their father) and supported the composer throughout the long and fruitful years of his illustrious musical career.

For further reading:

• https://www.grahamsmusic.net/post/bach-s-wives-and-children
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Barbara_Bach
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Magdalena_Bach
• https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Bach-Maria-Barbara.htm
• https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Bach-Anna-Magdalena.htm
• https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/news/magdalena-cello-suites-goldberg-variations/

A helpful guide to Bach’s many children:

• https://www.classicfm.com/composers/bach/guides/children/

And just for fun (for anyone surprised to find that Barbara is a German name):

• Barbaras Rhubarb Bar (feat. Marti Fischer) (youtube.com)

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