The second surviving son of Johann Sebastian Bach, Carl was educated at the Thomasschule in Leipzig and in music by his father. He then attended Leipzig University where he studied law. He wrote his first keyboard pieces around this time. In 1734, he transferred to the University of Frankfurt where he joined the Musikalische Akademie. In 1738, he became one of the court musicians serving Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia (later Frederick the Great). In 1745, he published his treatise, Essay of the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments, an influential work in the history of music. Bach's first published pieces were the Prussian Sonatas in 1744. In 1747, he completed his Magnificat, an impressive vocal work. During the late 1750's, Bach wrote a number of songs which were being popularized at that time by the Berlin "lied school". In 1757, he composed a number of organ sonatas for princess Anna Amalia. During the Seven Years' War, Bach joined the local militia, but when the Russian army occupied Berlin in 1758, he fled to Zerbst. From 1762 to 1764, he composed his Symphonies and a great deal of keyboard and chamber music. On Telemann's death (Telemann was godfather to Bach) in 1767, Bach became the music director of the principal churches in Hamburg; a position he would continue to hold until his death. Bach was considered a true innovator in musical history and one of the founders of the Classical era in music. |
Chrysoma Associates Limited
