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Bach By Popular Demand
"Bach By Popular Demand"
March 21, 1677 was cold in Eisenach, Saxony, but it was not so cold that Johann Ambrocious Bach did not find it necessary to go from his home to fetch the physician. His twelfth child was on its way to being born and the midwife was not to be found anywhere. He beat on the door of the physicians home and the good man answered in good time, "Yes, J. Ambrocious?" Asked the good doctor, "Please, come now. Elisabet is about to deliver the new child." J. Ambrocious said anxiously, "Very well, calm yourself, this is nothing new for you, so be calm and all will be well." The Physician said, "You are right. But this birth seems different than the others." J. Ambrocious said anxiously. "Truly? In what way, pray tell? A child is a child; they all come out the same, head or feet first." The physician said, "It seems to want to push its way out on its own." J. Ambrocious said, "Is that all? By thunder man, that is what it is supposed to do!" The physician answered, "t is? You mean from the first when Johann Barnabas was born that was how they began their labors?" J. Ambrocious asked in wonder, "Of course it is." The physician said as they walked to the brick house on Buckbury Road. Once there, they were greeted by Frau Bach holding her stomach and grimacing in pain. "Let it go Elisabet. It knows the way out." The physician answered. Hearing the comforting words of the physician, Elisabet Bach relaxed enough so that the baby slid out with only moderate discomfort. "You have a beautiful son Frau Bach." The good physician said, "Tradition has it his first name shall be Johann. But what for a second name?" J. Ambrocious spoke, "Well, he was born on the feast day of Saint Sebastian." Elsabet said, "Excellent, then he will be Johann Sebastian. We can call him Sebastian to avert confusion." Said his father, "It is required to wait the traditional week to make sure the child lives J. Ambrocious." The physician said, "Oh that is right. Very well, but his name is to be Johann Sebastian, whether he lives or not." Answered J. Ambrocious. "Very well. At least this way if he does not survive he will have a name for his grave stone." The physician said realistically.
The week passed and the child grew stronger. By March 28th the baby was officially registered as a living birth and given the official name, Johann Sebastian Bach. Elsabet was mighty proud of her new son, as she was with her other eleven but this one seemed to almost smell of being destined for greatness somewhere in his life. She had no idea exactly how right she was. As J. Sebastian grew, he became increasingly close to his eldest brother, J. Christoff. It was just as well as the events that were about to unfold would prove very difficult otherwise. When J. Sebastian was all of seven years old, he would sneak peaks at his brother J. Christoff taking music lessons from one Johannes Pachelbel, who came from the Imperial City called Nurenberg in far away southern Saxony. Then after J. Christoff had completed his studies with Herr Pachelbel, J. Sebastian decided he wished to be a musician as well. He went to his father and asked, "Since Christoff is taking the lessons of music, may I as well?" "I will let you learn from your brother and if you learn well enough I will send you to a special academe in Vienna, Austria. How does that sound?" J. Ambrocious offered his youngest son. "I accept that proposal father." J. Sebastian fairly sang out. "Very good then Sebastian. I will speak to Christoff about it then when I see him next." Herr Bach promised. Sure enough, he did. J. Christoff was pleased to share his new found musical skills with his brother who was mightily impressed with the beauty of the music J. Christoff had learned from the illustrious Johannes Pachelbel.
After a year J. Sebastian was well skilled on the harpsichord, which J. Ambrocious had in his parlor, it was a beautiful instrument too. J. Sebastian became so well adapted to it, he was even better than J. Christoff, which was not the most satisfying thing to his brother. Little did J. Sebastian know his music skills would be so greatly appreciated later on. Even less did he realize that far away in Venice another young boy was soon to begin learning music as well, and in Nurenberg a child of small structure was to learn music, but not for several years yet. J. Sebastian learned his music well enough so that J. Ambrocious held up his end of the bargain and sent J. Sebastian away to Vienna.
He had written me, to expect the boy in about a weeks time and the payment for his sons board for one month would accompany the coach it was to be delivered by the coachman, Heinrich Weldmann. On the evening of March 10h, 1688 the coach from J. Ambrocious pulled up in front of my establishment called The Green Dragon Inn, carrying his youngest son and the as said payment for one months boarding. My inn is beautiful a large establishment, as it needs to be for being a boarding inn. It is painted a fine emerald green and trimmed in a fine marigold color. The window in the very front of the inn was my pride and joy of the whole building, it was made of Austrian crystal made into a fine window and set by my father, Gentry von Weber in the year 1640, some six years before I was born. The wood inside the Green Dragon is beautiful black oak and polished to a mirrored shine, by my wife, Katrine, aged 30 seasons, I myself was all of 32 seasons by the time I met J. Sebastian. When I went out to meet the coach I saw a child of fine feature. His longish medium auburn hair was freshly washed and tied back with a red ribbon indicating he was a learning musician of above average knowledge of the skill. I was impressed. His hazel eyes were clear, bright and very curious; he was obviously a child of wondrous magic to bring more life to an already busy existence.
He came in and stopped dead in his tracks as he beheld a mountain on two feet, my long time assistant, Viktor Helgaar, a giant of 81 inches in height and a solid 35 stones. Viktor has long blond hair and eyes the color of fine delft Dutch tableware. He wore a fine white shirt with embroidered ruffed sleeves and the embroidering was small tulips from Viktors homeland of Rotterdam, in the far away country we call Holland. He is a very handsome man for all the fact he is tall and imposing in structure. "It is well Sebastian, that is my helper, Viktor Helgaar. Very fine man once you make better acquaintance with him." I said as I came in behind the frozen with fear lad. "Th-then he w-will not eat m-me?" J. Sebastian asked nervously, "Not a bit young master. I am Viktor. That is all you need call me. I will be your steward for the time you are here. Come please, I will show you to your room." Answered Viktor in a very pleasant voice. J. Sebastian went timidly behind the giant Dutchman peering at me from time to time to make sure I was in confidence that all was well. I winked at him indicating my approval of the giant leading him up the stairs. He sighed and continued to follow Viktor cautiously. Once up stairs, Viktor opened the door to a spacious room. It had a built in closet for the boys clothing and table for the washing bowel and pitcher. J. Sebastian was pleased and immediately went to the bed to see how comfortable that was. It met his needs perfectly. It was nearly three oclock and Viktor excused himself, "I must go prepare the supper for the inn." "You prepare meals as well do you?" J. Sebastian asked rather surprised, "Well, someone must, or the guests will starve young master." Viktor said, J. Sebastian smiled and asked, "May I come along Viktor?" "If you wish. I will be busy. Perhaps you can meet Matthias and Jenna at this time." The giant answered. "Matthias and Jenna? Are they also children here?" J. Sebastian asked, "They are indeed young master. Matthias is Herr Weber's son and Jenna is his niece. She is an orphan and has been adopted by her uncle, a fine man he is our Reuben." Viktor sang my praise. This naturally embarrassed me. "Viktor! Get down here and prepare the bread!" I called up the stairs, more out of averting attention from me than anger at Viktor. The two giggled and strolled down the stairs. They came around to the kitchen and there, by the cook oven taking a huge roast from the oven was my son, Matthias. A fine looking child with longish auburn hair and soft brown eyes. He was as tall as J. Sebastian and right at the same age too. J. Sebastian being two months older than Matthias. Matthias put down the roast he held and shook J. Sebastian's hand, "Hello. I am Matthias Weber. I am so pleased to meet you. You are the expected Johann Sebastian Bach from Eisenach, Saxony am I correct?" Came the pleasant response from my son. "I-I am." J. Sebastian faltered, he was not used to someone that young being that responsible. "Welcome then Young Bach. You are just in time to sample my fresh bread. A small taste to whet your appetite for the supper which will soon be served to you." Matthias said, "Splendid. I am hungry... Um, what do I call you?" J. Sebastian replied, "You call me Matthias as I will not answer to anything else. Have you been given your wash and towel?" Matthias said in response, "Not yet." J. Sebastian answered, "Viktor. Please take these roasts. I will tend our guest." Matthias said as he chucked the oven mitts into Viktor's hands and rushed off with our new guest in tow. Matthias ladled up five scoops of hot water and carefully poured it into a pitcher, he then took a towel and led J. Sebastian up the stair case to his room. Matthias opened the door and let J. Sebastian enter first, as it should be. Then he poured the water into the bowel and laid the towel on the bed and bowed to J. Sebastian and asked, "Will there be anything else Young Bach?" "Uh, no. I think that is all for now." J. Sebastian said, "Very well. I will return in half of the hour to get you for supper." Matthias said and in a breath the energetic boy was gone. "Gracious me. And he is only in his eleventh season as well?" J. Sebastian breathed as he dropped onto his bed, just then a small voice startled "J. Sebastian, Do not jump on the bed. Matthias said it will break the bed boards." J. Sebastian turned suddenly to see a small girl in a soft pink dress standing in the doorway, her long blonde hair was braided and pinned back neatly. Her luminous blue eyes were bright and playful although right now she was serious. "Jenna?" He offered the knowledge, "Yes. I am Jenna Anne Weber of 921 Canon Lane." She said proudly, "You live here?" J. Sebastian asked, "Of course. With Uncle Reuben and Aunt Katrine and my dear cousin Matthias." Jenna answered, "Where does Viktor live then?" J. Sebastian asked, "He lives in his house at 1667 Sarabande Road." Answered the fast thinking young girl of nine seasons. "Do you work here as well frauline?" J. Sebastian asked, "Me? Not yet. I have to be at least eleven before Uncle Reuben will trust me in the kitchen." She smiled, "Is Matthias your playmate?" J. Sebastian asked, "Among other things he is. He tells me stories, reads the bible to me at night, he cooks meals, cleans the inn, makes the beds and washes dishes." Jenna answered proudly, "And what does everyone else do?" J. Sebastian asked suspiciously, "Oh, not all at the same time and not by himself, the other do their work while he does his, everyone has something to do at one point or another." She smiled, "I envy your cousin. The life of an innkeeper is exciting and profitable." He said, "Well I do not know what all that means, but I am sure Matthias does and he likes what he does." Jenna smiled, "I am glad, he is a very well mannered boy, not to mention well learned in his affairs." J. Sebastian said. "Yes. That he is." Jenna said, just then they were brought back from their thoughts and conversation by Matthias voice, "Jenna Anne! Get down here and dress the tables!" He was not angry, just rushed, as was the custom around the Green Dragon Inn.
Life was great for J. Sebastian at the inn. Then one day he got a communication for his brother, J. Christoff, it said, 'My dearest Sebastian. It is with a heavy Heart I must inform you of the passing of our father and mother in a flood, which struck Eisenach two weeks hence. I am therefore, at a loss of what to do with you and have elected to leave you in Vienna. I hope you understand my decision and that you fare well in your endeavors. I remain sincerely your brother,
Johann Christoff Bach.' J. Sebastian was crushed to say the least and was absolutely desolate when he brought me the letter from his brother. "I am homeless now Reuben. I have no place to go." I read the letter and looked at J. Sebastian, "I am truly grieved at this J. Sebastian. I will let you stay here and work if you like so you may still attend school." I said, J. Sebastians eyes lit up, "Really? You would do that for me?" He asked hopefully. "Of course I will." I said, "Oh Reuben!" Was all he said but I knew there was a grateful, 'Thank you' between his gratified sighs of relief.
Life went on happily for many long, happy months. J. Sebastian had become well skilled as an innkeeper, he was especially skilled at preparing the rooms as needed. Matthias and he became so skilled that it was this team that tutored Jenna on the protocol when her turn came to learn the business.
Four splendid years passed for us until that horrible day when my Matthias was walking to the village called Finis and he simply vanished from the face of the earth. No one could find him anywhere.
Days passed into weeks which passed into months. Matthias was gone. I was devastated. Katrine, unable to deal with the possibility of our sons death, took her own life by drowning in Dragons Claw Lake ten miles from Vienna. I was now alone with two orphans and a business to run. Only Viktor kept me sane through this horrific disheveling of my life.
Throughout the remainder of his stay at the Green Dragon, J. Sebastian kept in contact with an unseen spirit, I assumed it must be Matthias, I was resolved to the fact that my son was dead after he had been missing for over a year.
On July 24th, 1692, J. Sebastian graduated from the Vienna School of Music and applied for a teachers certificate. He passed the necessary tests and was given the teachers position at St Matthew's High School for Boys. A fitting name in honor of his dear friend Matthias. He was given the position as music and mathematics teacher. I was so proud I could not keep from shedding tears of joy for him. It was the next year he moved into his own home at 321 Cantata Avenue, which he purchased for the sum of 300 marks. I was pleased that he never forgot us and every single day he came to eat at the inn. Out of my love for this boy I never charged him for his food, He always paid though out of respect for me and the love and kindness I showed him when he became an abandoned child in the company of the Green Dragon Inn.
Code: JSB03211677
ReubenHWeber |
Latest page update: made by ReubenHWeber
, Jul 19 2007, 3:05 PM EDT
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| AntoniolVivaldi | Bach By Popular Demand | 0 | Jul 21 2007, 10:26 AM EDT by AntoniolVivaldi | ||
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Thread started: Jul 21 2007, 10:26 AM EDT
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Nice story. kinda sad when Reuben's son dies though. Bach rocks BTW!
Joie Littleton Elite Girls School, Utah |
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