Classical Music / Composer's Datebook: March 8
Brief biography of CPE Bach, master of the keyboards, arguably, founder of modern piano-playing. The most famous Bach in his lifetime.
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, born March 8, 1714, German composer and musician of the Classical period. His name was also formerly spelt Karl Philipp Emmanuel Bach, and commonly abbreviated C. P. E. Bach or CPE, the fifth child and second surviving son of Johann Sebastian Bach and Maria Barbara Bach. To his contemporaries, he was known simply as Emanuel. His second name was in honor of his godfather Georg Philipp Telemann, a friend of Johann Sebastian Bach. CPE was educated at Leipzig, then at the University of Frankfurt-on-Oder.
To distinguish CPE from his brother Johann Christian, the "London Bach,"
who at this time was music master to the Queen of England, CPE
Bach was known as the "Berlin Bach" during his residence in that city,
and later as the "Hamburg Bach" when he succeeded Telemann as
Kapellmeister there.
CPE Bach introduced a new ‘homophonic’ style that time, which influenced Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven. A left-handed, CPE studied music under his father, JS Bach.
In 1738 he moved to Berlin to become harpsichordist to the Prussian crown prince when his employer became King Frederick in 1740. During this period, his most important compositions were his keyboard sonatas.
Career
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach wrote and published his famous treatise on keyboard playing entitled Versuch über die wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen (Essay on the Correct Method of Playing the Clavier), 1753, which established him as the leading keyboard teacher and theorist that time. He may well be regarded as the founder of modern piano-playing. He was however discontented with his poor salary and wanted out. It was only in 1767 when Frederick reluctantly released him. The following year, he succeeded his godfather Georg Telemann as Kantor and church music director at Hamburg.
CPE Bach wrote over 200 pieces for keyboard instruments, numerous chamber music including solo clavier pieces, many songs, fiery and energetic symphonies and concerti with orchestral accompaniments, cantatas, as well as choral works from his late years, including two oratorios. Some of these church music included adaptations of his own and works of other composers.
He died aged 74, in Hamburg, December 14, 1788.
CPE Bach's Legacy
Together with his music, Carl Philipp Emanuel (CPE) Bach was greatly respected and recognized for his treatise which summarized the musical philosophy and practices in the second half of the 18th-century Protestant north Germany. He received much greater recognition for his abilities as composer and performer in his lifetime than his now famous father, JS Bach.
CPE Bach's Major Works
Trio in B minor 1731
Prussian Sonata 1742
Sonata for clavier, Wurtemburgian 1743
Magnificat 1749
Harp Sonata in B minor 1762
Passion Cantata 1770
Fantasia in C minor 1773
Die Israeliten in der Wüste (The Israelites in the Wilderness), oratorio 1769
Symphony in F major 1780
Morgengesang am Schöpfungsfeste, ode (1783)
Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu (The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus), oratorio 1787
Concerto in Eb 1788
Photo Credit:
CPE Bach. Public Domain.
Resources:
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. en.wikipedia.org
Kennedy, Michael & Joyce, & Tim Rutherford-Johnson. Oxford Dictionary of Music, Sixth Edition. OUP. 2012.
Sadie, Stanley, Ed. The Grove Dictionary of Music. London: Macmillan Press Ltd, 1994.
(c) March 2009. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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