Johann Christian Bach

Classical Music / Composer's Datebook: September 5

 

Brief biography of German Classical composer and performer,  Johann Christian Bach, popularly called 'London Bach' or 'English Bach.' 

 

Johann Christian Bach's Early Years

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 on September 5, 1735,  in Leipzig. JC Bach 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.

In 1754 he went to Italy, abandoned Protestantism for Roman Catholicism, and became organist in Milan Cathedral. He left for Italy in 1754, became an organist at Milan Cathedral and converted from Protestantism to 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, 1 Jan 1782, aged 46. He was buried in St Pancras' Churchyard.

 

Johann Christian Bach's Musical Legacy

His music appealed to Mozart as it provided a blend of the Italian fluency and grace along with well founded German techniques.

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   

 

Image Credit:

Johann Christian Bach by Thomas Gainsborough. Wikipedia Commons. Public Domain. 

 

Resources:

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

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

 

 

(c) September 2008. Updated September 5, 2023. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved