Johann Christian Bach

Synopsis

German composer, organist, and teacher

• Born in Leipzig, Germany on September 5 1735
• Received his early education from his father J. S. Bach and Johann Elias Bach
• 1749-50 was secretary to J.S. Bach
• 1750 after his father's death, he went to Berlin to study composition and harpsichord with his brother Carl Philipp Emanuel.
• 1755 he moved to Milan, Italy
• There he studied with Padre Martini in counterpoint
• 1760 Became second organist at the Milan Cathedral
• December 1760 he premeired his Opera Seria Artaserse
• He wrote more operas and sometimes neglecting his organist duties
• 1762 He moved to London, England
• He enjoyed the acquaintance of the royal family and patronage from aristocracy
• Wrote very successful operas in London
• 1763 appointed music master to the queen
• 1764 shared lodging with Carl Friedrich Abel, a composer who had studied with JS Bach
• They collaborated together on concerts that became known as the Bach-Abel concerts
• 1764 Leopold Mozart came to London, and young Mozart played in court and admired JC Bach
• They also played duets together
• 1766 He is central to the development of the piano in London
• He was in much demand as a teacher, composer and teacher
• 1770 he was persuaded to play an organ concerto but was hissed at by the audience, possibly because of his deteriorating keyboard skills
• 1772 he traveled to Mannheim to premiere his opera Temistocle which became a huge success
• Died in London, England on January 1, 1782. Mozart said of his death, "a loss to the musical world"

His style of composing was softened from severe German to a softer Italian style, which he carried with him the rest of his life.

For details, see the Wikipedia article on Johann Christian Bach.

List of Organ Works

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Background and General Perspectives on Performing Johann Christian Bach Organ Works

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Registration and Organs

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Fingering and Pedaling

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Articulation and Phrasing

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Ornamentation

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Tempo and Meter

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Scores and Editions

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Recordings

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Free Online

J.C. Bach - W YA50 - Fugue on BACH for organ in F major, performed by Franz Haselbock

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Other Resources

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Notes

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