Biography of Johann Christian Bach

JS Bach's Youngest Son, a German Composer, Influenced Mozart

© Tel Asiado

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Brief biography of Classical composer Johann Christian Bach (JC Bach), popularly called 'London Bach' or 'English Bach.' He greatly influenced Mozart.

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:

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

Johann Christian Bach's Other Works

Sources Consulted

Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie,Macmillan (1994)

The Chronicle of Classical Music, Thames & Hudson (2000)


The copyright of the article Biography of Johann Christian Bach in Classical Composers is owned by Tel Asiado. Permission to republish Biography of Johann Christian Bach must be granted by the author in writing.


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