CHAPTER I

The Bachs of Thuringia--Veit Bach, the ancestor of John Sebastian--His sons and descendants--A breach of promise of marriage--J. Christoph Bach of Arnstadt--His cantata “Es erhob sich ein Streit”--John Michael Bach of Gehren--His character--His compositions--J. Christoph Bach of Ohrdruf and his descendants--The sons of John Sebastian Bach--The clan feeling--A sixteenth century _quodlibet_ 1