Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

Date of Birth: March 8, 1714

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: December 14, 1788

Biography

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, often referred to as C.P.E. Bach, was a prominent German musician and composer of the Classical period. Born on March 8, 1714, in Weimar, Germany, he was the second surviving son of Johann Sebastian Bach and Maria Barbara Bach. C.P.E. Bach is widely regarded as one of the most influential composers between the Baroque and Classical periods. C.P.E. Bach received his early musical education from his father, Johann Sebastian Bach, and quickly showed prodigious talent. He later studied law at the universities of Leipzig and Frankfurt (Oder), but his passion for music prevailed. In 1738, he entered the service of Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia (later Frederick the Great), where he served as a court musician for nearly three decades. After leaving the court of Frederick the Great, C.P.E. Bach became the music director in Hamburg, succeeding his godfather, Georg Philipp Telemann. During his tenure in Hamburg, he composed numerous symphonies, concertos, and chamber works, significantly influencing the development of musical forms and styles. His compositions, characterized by expressive melodies and innovative harmonic progressions, were highly esteemed by contemporaries and later composers, including Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. C.P.E. Bach passed away on December 14, 1788, in Hamburg, leaving behind a rich legacy of musical works and a profound impact on the evolution of Western classical music.

5 Interesting Facts about Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

1. C.P.E. Bach was known for his expressive and emotive style, which marked a departure from the more structured compositions of his father’s Baroque era.

2. He wrote an influential treatise on keyboard playing titled “Versuch über die wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen” (Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments), which is still studied by musicians today.

3. C.P.E. Bach composed over 1,000 works, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and choral pieces.

4. He served as a court musician for Frederick the Great of Prussia, where he played the harpsichord and fortepiano.

5. His music was a significant influence on the early Classical style and on later composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

1. “A musician cannot move others unless he too is moved.”

2. “If one does not have a good teacher, then one had better have a good book.”

3. “Since a true artist must be moved by his own feelings, he must be able to vary his performance in accordance with them.”

4. “In the final analysis, a musician must have the power to show the true essence of a composition.”

5. “Play always as if a master listened to you.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific financial records from the 18th century are scarce, C.P.E. Bach was well-compensated for his positions at the court of Frederick the Great and later in Hamburg, allowing him to live comfortably.

Children

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach had three children with his wife Johanna Maria Dannemann: 1. Johann Adam Bach (1745–1787) 2. Anna Carolina Philippina Bach (1747–1804) 3. Johann Sebastian Bach, named after his grandfather, though he did not survive past infancy.