A german musician at Bender in the 18th century

The present study aims to draw attention to a lesser-known subject: the presence of the German musician Johann Jacob Bach (the elder brother of the celebrated Johann Sebastian Bach) on the territory of Bessarabia during the European Baroque period. The text is based on the few documentary sources identified to date, adopting an interpretive approach that highlights the historical dimension of the subject. A professional oboist, Jacob became employed in the military guard of King Charles XII of Sweden, accompanying him on his campaigns in Eastern Europe. After the defeat of the Swedish army at Poltava (1709), J. J. Bach followed the king in his forced refuge in Bender, Bessarabian. His activity in Bender as a cultural agent certifies the presence of a resonant name in the Bessarabia space of the 18th century, which transported the German Baroque style to the banks of the Dniester/left bank of the Prut, at a historical crossroads, offering a valuable perspective on musical circulation under extreme condition