Johann(es) [Hans] Bach was son of Veit Bach [1]. He was a baker and carpetmaker, and, in that he was also a Spielmann (minstrel, fiddler), the earliest professional musician among the Wechmar Bachs. He received his instruction as a Stadtpfeifer before 1567 at Schloss Grimmenstein in Gotha from Matz Zisecke and his predecessor (not, as has repeatedly been stated, from a person by 'the name of Bach). By 1577 he owned a house in Wechmar and from there, according to the Ursprung, he travelled widely as a musician to various Thuringian towns, including Gotha, Arnstadt, Erfurt, Eisenach, Schmalkalden and Suhl. The Wechmar death register notes him as 'Hanss Bach ein Spielmann'. |