Cöthen (1717–1723)

At the end of 1717 Bach moved to Anhalt-Cöthen (Köthen) as Capellmeister to the ruling prince. His years there, often described as his happiest, saw growing recognition as a musician and frequent travel, to Hamburg, Berlin, and elsewhere. They also saw the death of his first wife, but Bach soon remarried, to Anna Magdalena Wilcke, a court singer with whom he would perform regularly. Reductions in court spending on music may have led Bach to contemplate moving again, and much of his last year at Cöthen was overshadowed by his successful application for and ensuing negotiations concerning his appointment as cantor at Leipzig.