Bach and his Sons

Of the seven children that Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) had with his first wife only three survived him. Two of these had musical careers of their own: Whilhelm Friedemann (1710 - 1784) and Carl Philipp Emanuel (1714 - 1788 ). After his first wife died, Johann Sebastian Bach married Anna Magdalena Wilcken, herself a gifted soprano. They had thirteen children, of whom Gottfried Heinrich (1724 - 1763), Johann Christoph Friedrich (1732 - 1795) and Johann Christian (1735 - 1782) became significant musicians. Born in Eisenach, Johann Sebastian came from a long line of musicians, but he was the one who was the most successful and the most famous from all his ancestors, mostly as an organist. He was not widely recognized and appreciated as a composer during his lifetime, until the revival of interest and performances of his music in the 19th century. We now regard Johann Sebastian as the epitome of the Baroque era - the composer who perfected the art of counterpoint and fugue. 

While Johann Sebastian was a composer of the end of the Baroque period, his sons were at the beginning of the Enlightenment period. The Church now started to be seen as boring and old-fashioned, and they were concerned with much more flamboyant music. In spite of the high musical gifts with which he was endowed, Whilhelm Friedemann has not become as famous as his brothers Carl Philip Emanuel and Johann Christian, his unstable character seldom permitting concentrated work. His style fluctuates between the baroque and the new tendencies of the rococo, and is disunited yet original and audacious. Carl Philip Emanuel wrote numerous works for piano solo which give expression to the new individual style of a “courteous and sentimental period” and prepare the way for the Viennese classics. Johann Christian was at first a pupil of his brother Carl Philip Emanuel (older by 21 years). Later on he moved to Italy and adopted the modern Italian style. He became “one of the most important developers of modern style” and thanks to the “suavity, grace and delicacy of his music, even the true precursor and most influential model to Mozart”. 

This recital brings together the music of daddy Bach and his sons in a month that is very important for the Bach family - it is Carl Philip Emanuel Bach's 301st birthday on the 8th March and Johann Sebastian Bach's 330th birthday on 21st of March.

The performer: Joanne Camilleri