Bach's ancestors made pastries in Bratislava

Veit Bach also loved music, often playing a cithara at work.

Towards the end of his life, Johan Sebastian Bach wrote down the history of his family, which began with a musically gifted baker from Prešporok. Towards the end of his life, Johan Sebastian Bach wrote down the history of his family, which began with a musically gifted baker from Prešporok. (Source: Wikimedia)

He sat down, dipped his pen in the inkwell and began to write. He was 50 years of age, which in those days was considered old. It was time to look back at life and write a family chronicle.

Well-known musicians ran in the family and the tradition went back to the oldest known ancestor – Veit Bach. In addition to being a baker, he also liked to play music. And it is likely that he came from Prešporok, as Bratislava used to be known in the past.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

This account was left to us by an artist without whom neither Mozart nor the Beatles could exist, namely Johann Sebastian Bach.

SkryťTurn off ads

‘How nice they must have sounded together!’

"In the 16th century, Vitus Bach, a baker of white pastries in Hungary, was compelled to escape because of his religion. Having monetised his property as best as he could, he moved to Thuringia in Germany where he found enough safety to follow his Lutheran faith, finally settling down in Wechmar near Gotha, where he continued his craft.

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Journalists at the Smer headquarters in Bratislava

The international media is highlighting the resurgence of its populist former – and likely future – premier.


8 h
Harvesting festivities in the town of Modra near Bratislava.

Autumn is the time to celebrate the grape harvest. Festivals for running...or a public transport for those not keen on running. Here's what to do during the weekend September 8-10.


8. sep
Peter Pellegrini

Pellegrini may seek the premiership.


6 h
SkryťClose ad