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In recent years, the question has been raised about Bach's birthday, and the calendar in effect at that time. 

Some posit that because of the shift from use of the old Julian calendar to the new Georgian calendar

 (in present use) the actual birthdate is March 31.

To help me out of my confusion, I wrote to Bach scholar and Harvard University professor Christoph Wolff:

I understand that recent reevaluations of the calendar have moved Bach's birthday to March 31. This, of course, messes up our long-enjoyed belief that his birthday and the spring equinox more or less coincide. Is it inappropriate to celebrated the birthday on 3/21 these days, and should one now observe the 'new' 3/31 anniversary?  Or do traditions die hard?  Always curious.

Moving Bach's birthday is absolutely ridiculous. True, his life was actually 11 days longer because Protestant Germany adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1700 — but with the legal stipulation that all dates prior to Dec. 31, 1699, remain valid. My Bach book discusses the situation a bit in conjunction with the trip to Lüneburg. Hold on to March 21, and feel good about it!

So we'll continue to enjoy Bach's birthday on March 21. Happy birthday, J.S.!

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 40 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, produced and distributed by American Public Media, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music.  Pipedreams began in 1982 and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997 and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.  He also hosts broadcasts of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The New Releases on Minnesota Public Radio.


Michael Barone

In recent years, the question has been raised about Bach’s birthday, and the calendar in effect at that time. Some posit that because of the shift from use of the old Julian calendar to the new Georgian calendar (in present use) the actual birthdate is March 31. To help me out of my confusion, I … Continue reading The curiously elusive date of Bach’s birthday →


The curiously elusive date of Bach’s birthday

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