In the Baroque period (1600-1750), the use and function of music was viewed very differently than it is now. Music was not used as a tool to merely raise or heighten your emotions, unlike much music now, chiefly used only to raise or heighten one emotion; usually sex. But in the Baroque period (and i'm speaking very generally here), music was used as a means for a greater good, such as music composed in a court for royals and royal events. Or, ultimately, for the glorification of God. Music was not composed for oneself. And I don't mean to say that Baroque music is devoid of all emotion. I think, in fact, that there is a stronger and deeper emotional presence in Baroque/Classical music. That is another discussion.
Furthermore, I think that this idea is very important to keep in mind when listening to Bach. Bach did not compose music "for himself", but for the glorification and appreciation of God. Bach was a devout Christian. We can infer this by looking at his many religious works, his Luther Bible that he would edit and write in the margins, and even on original musical manuscripts that have survived. Often what people reference is Bach's habit of writing before every composition, "Jesus help me", and after, "Sola Dei Gloria" which means, "to the Glory of God alone". Most of his music he thought would be forgotten, which it was for one-hundred years (Mozart, Haydn, and other composers were influenced by his music).
To illustrate my point, look for a moment at the works of the great pioneer of science, Isaac Newton. Probably one of the greatest geniuses the world has seen up to this point. Even though he is most famous for his findings in physics, mathematics, and astronomy, he actually wrote more on Theology than anything else. Newton didn't discover the Laws of Gravity or contribute to Calculus for the sake of it. He studied Physics so he could better understand Astronomy; he studied Astronomy to date Biblical texts. Newton says in his universal masterpiece, Principia Mathematica, that he hopes that his work would enlighten and defend the understanding of God as the ruler and creator of the Universe.¹ Newton studied this science because he believed that by discovering the created universe, one could discover more about the nature of God.
Bach is the same. Bach never thought his music would be remembered, and even the clergy at the Thomaskirche where he worked regarded him as a mediocre composer who served a simple function of composing standard cantatas. As a composer he was a hidden figure, yet he composed an immense, immense amount of music. Why? Bach never cared an ounce for posterity. Bach learned that even though his authorities did not fully appreciate his music, he was not composing it for them or himself. Like Newton, he wished to "discover" the rules of music as a means to better glorify God and his created universe. Bach is a discoverer of music.
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¹Paraphrased from Newton, Isaac, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, Volume II, Book III (Of Natural Philosophy), 389.
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