Johann Christian Bach

About Johann Christian Bach

Johann Christian Bach, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach, was taught by his father and his brother Carl Philipp Emanuel, went to Italy in 1754 (lessons with Padre Martini), converted to Catholicism and became second organist at the Cathedral of Milan in 1760. In 1762 he went to London to become a composer at the King's Theatre and, at the same time, was a member of the Queen's chapel ensemble. Since 1765 he, together with Carl Friedrich Abel, organized the "Bach Abel Concerts" which were important to the development of the public musical life.

Standing out among his works (eleven operas, two oratorios, cantatas, arias, 90 symphonies, numerous piano concertos, chamber music works and works for the piano) are the Quintets, Op. 11 and the Overtures and Symphonies, Op. 18. Bach's style was influenced by his stay in Italy as well as by the Mannheim School. His cantabile melodies, especially in the fast main themes of the orchestral and chamber music works ("singing allegro"), had their effects even on the late works by Mozart with whom he was on friendly terms.