The three Quartets for harpsichord, cello, flute and viola (H.537â539), a new collection of Songs (H.700â760), published by Donatius in LĂźbeck in 1789, and a pasticcio Passion for 1789 were all written in Bachâs last year. He died on December 14, 1788 of a âchest ailmentâ and was buried on December 19th in the crypt of the Michaeliskirche.