Born in Leipzig, Sept 5, 1735
Died in London, Jan 1, 1782
- Johann Christian (JC) Bach was the seventh and last son of Johann Sebastian Bach and Anna Magdalena Bach. While several of JS Bach’s sons went on to become composers, JC is viewed as the most varied and inventive (and the most traveled).
- JS Bach supervised much of JC’s early musical education. After his father’s death, JC moved to Berlin to continue studies with his half-brother, Carl Philipp Emanuel (CPE) Bach.
- Around the age of 20, JC took a turn from family tradition and moved to Italy, where he not only converted to Catholicism but became the first in his family to delve into writing opera.
- In 1762, JC was invited to London to write an opera. He would be based in London for the rest of his life, eventually earning the nickname “The English Bach” or “The London Bach.” JC was also appointed Music Master to Queen Charlotte, and his duties included giving music lessons to the queen and her children, organizing chamber concerts, directing the queen’s band, and accompanying the flute-playing of the king.”
- Fun fact – JC was often referred to as “John” Bach in London.
- In London, JC became close friends with composer and viol de gamba player Carl Friedrich Abel. The two collaborated on a series of concerts known as the “Bach-Abel Concerts.” Wildly popular, these concerts became the basic template for the classical concert series most performing arts organizations use today.
- As a composer, JC wrote symphonies, opera, church music, chamber music, and keyboard works.
- His Op. 5 sonatas were the first pieces published in London using the word “piano” on the title page. JC was also the first to perform publicly at the new keyboard instrument.
- “After the arrival of John Chr. Bach in this country, and the establishment of his concert[s] … all the harpsichord makers tried their mechanical powers at piano-fortes.”
- JC was a significant musical influence for a young Mozart, who visited London in 1964. The two became well acquainted and even improvised on the harpsichord together.1
- His Op. 5 sonatas were the first pieces published in London using the word “piano” on the title page. JC was also the first to perform publicly at the new keyboard instrument.
Learn More
Biography from the Philharmonia Orchestra
Sources
- Bach, Johann [John] Christian,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed March 20, 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-6002278196.