Monday, June 11

Ohrdruf to Arnstadt

Bach Monument at Michaelisplatz, near the Tower of the St. Michael's Church, Ohrdruf

This monument commemorates Bach's time in Ohrdruf. It shows both the tower of St. Michael's Church, where the young Bach learned to play the organ. The original quarry stone and pipe organ, which were incorporated into the sculpture, symbolizing the history of St. Michael's Church. The lattice window with the music paper alludes to an anecdote: So it is said that his older brother, Johann Christoph Bach, withheld from him some pieces of music, as he considered them to be too heavy for his younger brother.  But the young Johann Sebastian Bach was not deterred and, night after night, he secretly copied the sheet music to his notebook.  The sculpture was officially unveiled and presented to the public in May, 1999. 

[Bach Statues, Monuments, Memorials & Plaques. Bach Cantatas Website. Aug. 3, 2018. http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Memo/Memo-1229.htm]