1685

Bach born in Eisenach, 21 March

1692

Enrols at Lateinschule, Eisenach

1695

Bach's father dies; Bach moves to school at Ohrdruf

1700

Bach enrols at the Michaelisschule, Lüneburg

1703

Bach secures organist's post at the Neue Kirche, Arnstadt

1705

Bach makes extended visit to Lübeck to hear Buxtehude

1707

Bach appointed organist at Mühlhausen; marries his niece, Maria

1708

Bach appointed organist and chamber musician at Weimar

1710

Bach's son Wilhelm Friedemann born

1713

Cantata No 208 performed; begins composing the Orgelbüchlein

• Listen to an extract from the Orgel-Büchlein.

1717

Bach appointed Kapellmeister at Cöthen

1720

Death of Bach's wife Maria; Sonatas and Partitas composed

• Listen to the Chaconne from Bach's Solo Violin Partita No 2 BWV 1004.

1721

Bach marries Anna Magdalena. Brandenburg Concertos performed

• Listen to part of Brandenburg Concerto No 4 BWV 1049.

1723

Bach appointed Kantor at the Thomaskirche, Leipzig

1727

St Matthew Passion performed in Leipzig on 11 April

• Listen to an extract from the St Matthew Passion BWV 244.

1732

Rebuilt Thomasschule opens. St John Passion performed

• Listen to an extract from the St John Passion BWV 245.

1734

Christmas Oratorio Parts 1-3 performed

• Listen to an extract from the Christmas Oratorio.

1739

Publication of the Clavierübung Part III

• Listen to part of the 'St Anne' prelude from the Clavierübung Part III

1742

Goldberg Variations published

• Listen to an extract from the Goldberg Variations BWV 988

1747

The Musical Offering is published

• Listen to an extract from The Musical Offering BWV 1079

1749

Completion of the B Minor Mass

• Listen to an extract from the Mass in B Minor BWV 232

1750

Working on The Art of Fugue, Bach dies on 28 July

• Listen to an extract from The Art of Fugue, as Bach left it.