Biography of Johann Christian Bach
JS Bach's Youngest Son, a German Composer, Influenced Mozart
Oct 4, 2007
Johann Christian Bach, German composer of the Classical Era, was the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach by his second wife Anna Magdalena Bach. JC Bach, as he was commonly called, was born in Leipzig in 1735. He studied with his father until aged 15, then in Berlin with his half-brother Carl Philipp Emanuel, considered the best musician in the Bach family that time.
Later Teen Years
In 1754 he went to Italy, became an organist in Milan Cathedral, and abandoned Protestantism for Roman Catholicism.
JC Bach's Move to London
Johann Christian Bach went to London in 1762 and was appointed music master to Queen Charlotte Sophia, wife of George III. Since then he has been called the 'English Bach' or 'London Bach.'
In London, he became friends with the boy genius Mozart who was on his first European tour with family. He introduced Mozart to English musical society. Mozart wrote his first three symphonies under the influence of Johann Christian Bach.
JC Bach's Significant Milestones:
- 1762 - He was invited to London to write Italian operas.
- 1763 – On Feb 19, his opera Orione was performed at the King's Theatre in London. It was so successful that it continued on for three months, and was followed in May by the equally successful Zanaida.
- Early 1770s was the height of his career as a performer and composer. Many of his works were published.
JC Bach's Career and Health Decline
JC Bach made London his permanent home. Sadly, his popularity faded in the late 1770s, and his health declined following financial troubles. He was soon forgotten after he died in London, aged 46. He is buried in St Pancras' Churchyard.
Johann Christian Bach's Musical Legacy
His music, with a blend of the Italian fluency and grace, along with well-founded German techniques, appealed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Johann Christian Bach, sometimes regarded as hedonistic compared to his half-brother CPE Bach, produced elegant music simply suited to its social purpose.
Johann Christian Bach's Operas
- Artaserse, opera 1761, he was 26 years old
- Catone in Utica, opera 1761
- Allessandro nell'Indie, opera 1762
- Orione, opera 1763
- Zanaida, opera 1763
- Adriano in Siria, opera 1765
- Carattaco, opera 1767
- Temistocle, opera 1772
- Lucio Silla, opera 1776
- Amadis des Gaules, opera 1779
Johann Christian Bach's Other Works
- Symphonies
- Concerti
- Sextets
- Quintets
- Quartets
- Duets for violin
- Trios
- Sonatas for piano and violin
- Military marches
- Church music
- Vocal music
Sources Consulted
Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie,Macmillan (1994)
The Chronicle of Classical Music, Thames & Hudson (2000)
