The quote belongs to Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), one of the greatest composers of all time. He devoted his life and his work to God.

He started every piece of his music either with "J.J.", the Latin initials for "Jesus Juve", which means "Jesus Help Me", or with "I.N.J.", "In Nomine Jesu" ("In the Name of Jesus"). This was his opening prayer to God before he began to compose. Every week he composed a cantata for a Sunday Mass.

Nearly three fourth of Bach's 1,000 compositions were written for use in worship. All his music is closely bound to the Bible. Next to the 1 Chronicles 25:1-7 Bach wrote in his Bible, "This chapter is the true foundation of all God-pleasing music". At 2 Chronicles 5:13 he wrote,"At a reverent performance of music God is always at hand with His gracious presence." At the end of his manuscripts, Bach wrote, "Soli Deo Gloria", which means "Glory to God Alone" and is a quotation from Romans 16-27. He wrote so-called "absolute music"; the same piece can work as effectively on a piano as a guitar, as a choral work or an orchestral arrangement.

Bach's musical output is overwhelming: 45 volumes, 13,000 pages, 160 CDs. It would take a single person decades to hand-copy on paper what is left of Bach's music, let alone compose it. On the top of the long list of his works are the 6 Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, St.Matthew Passion.

Bach said to his wife on his deathbed, "Do not cry for me for I go where music is born".

More Info: paulsohn.org