18th century German classical composer, son of the famous Johann Sebastian Bach.
Johann Christian Bach was born in 1735. September 5 in Leipzig. He was the youngest of 7 sons of composer Johann Sebastian Bach. His musical training was overseen by his father and he was probably instructed by his uncle Johann Elias Bach, who was then living in the family home in Leipzig and working as secretary to Johann Sebastian. It is likely that JK Bach was Johann Sebastian's favorite son, because after his death in 1750 he bequeathed 3 of his 4 harpsichords to his son. After his father's death, J. K. Bach moved to Berlin, where he studied composition and playing the harpsichord with his older brother K. F. E. Bach, created his first large-scale compositions, and performed in public. in 1755 he moved to Milan in Italy. He was supported by Count Agostino Lito, studied counterpoint in Bologna with Padre Martini. His liturgical works were performed in Milan and elsewhere. 1760 J. K. Bach took the position of second organist at Milan Cathedral and probably converted from Protestantism to Catholicism in that year. The following year he traveled around Italy and created operas for the Teatro San Carlo in Naples: "Catone in Utica" (Catone in Utica) and "Alexander in India" (Alessandro nell'Indie). "Cato in Utica" became Bach's most popular early opera, in 1762. done in Milan, 1763 - in Pavia, Perugia, Parma, and in 1764 - again in Naples. His work began to receive European attention when in 1761 His overture "Artaxerxes" (Artaxerxes) was published in Paris. in 1762 he received an offer from the Royal Theater in London to prepare two operas for the following season. J. K. Bach abandoned proposals for operas in Naples and Venice and in 1762 went to London in the summer. In Milan, his position as an organist was reserved for a year, but the composer never returned to Milan.
With the production of the first opera "Orion" (1763) in London, J. K. Bach secured the position of the leading musician of the city. It was supported by the royal family, aristocracy. He had many acquaintances in the circle of artists. According to testimonies, Bach was initially disappointed by the level of musical culture in London, but his quick recognition ensured his stay in the city. He was appointed music director to Queen Charlotte, taught music to the children of the royal family and the queen, organized chamber music concerts and accompanied the flute-playing King George III. in 1763 a collection of piano concertos dedicated to Queen Charlotte was published. Since 1764 he organized regular concerts in London with the composer Karl Friedrich Abel, which was a completely new phenomenon in the life of the city. in 1764 Leopold Mozart arrived in London with his family. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed in the royal court and respected the music of Bach. According to stories, they performed harpsichord duets together. Bach is credited with popularizing the piano instrument in London. It is considered that in 1768 he played this instrument publicly for the first time in the city. The harpsichord makers of that time had contacts with J. K. Bach and started making pianos (then called piano-forte in Italian). JK Bach's works were published in London, Paris and Amsterdam, and in the 1770s he had high recognition in Europe. in 1772 he traveled to Mannheim for the premiere of his opera Themistocles. in 1775 The opera "Lucius Silla" was staged in Mannheim, which was highly appreciated by Mozart. In England, J. K. Bach conducted concerts with the Italian singer Cecilia Grassi, whom he conducted in 1773. or 1774 at the beginning At Padre Martini's request, Bach sent him his portrait in Bologna (painted by Thomas Gainsborough). Another version of the portrait survived in London. in 1778 His best late opera La clemenza di Scipione premiered in London. The composer's last opera "Amadis de Gaule" (Amadis de Gaule) in 1779. built in Paris and failed.
In the late years, J. K. Bach's health deteriorated, his concerts together with K. F. Abel lost demand and were unprofitable. JK Bach died in 1782. January 1 in London, was buried at St. In the cemetery of Pancratius Church. He left many debts which were not covered by the support concerts and which Queen Charlotte helped pay off. In a letter to his father, Mozart called Bach's death "a loss to the world of music."
