Carl Philippe Emmanuel Bach

Carl Philippe Emmanuel Bach studied at the School of St. Thomas in Leipzig and studied law at the University of Leipzig and the University of Frankfurt am Oder. Music was taught by his father, and from 1740 he was Frederick the Great's harpsichord player in Berlin and Potsdam. Tired of being limited to playing keyboard music, he moved to Hamburg in 1767 and served as a musician in five main churches (hence he was often called "Hamburg Bach" or "Berlin Bach").

He was not satisfied with the polyphonic writing method commonly used in his father's works and expressed contempt for pure counterpoint. His works were of typical significance in the mid-18th century. Its essence lies in its elegance and exquisite refinement, and it has a deep understanding of the performance of keyboard instruments. He has amazing improvisation skills. As a performer, he is known for his accurate techniques, beautiful timbre and deep emotion. He has written a large number of vocal and instrumental music, including two oratorios: "Israel in the Wilderness"(1775) and "The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus"(1787); fifty keyboard concertos and several sets of keyboard sonatas. (See A. Watercairn's "A Catalog of Themes of the Works of C.P.E. Bach", 1905) The sonata he composed shows that the thematic treatment of contrast tonality has gradually matured, and the classical sonata form has developed from this. The influence of opera can be seen in the sentimental Andante movement and the occasionally used instrumental recitative.