the "Berlin" or "Hamburg" Bach, third son of JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH; b. Weimar, Mar. 8, 1714; d. Hamburg, Dec. 14, 1788. Carl studied with his father at the Thomasschule, Leipzig, and then studied jurisprudence at the universities of Leipzig and Frankfurt-ander-Oder. In 1738 he went to Berlin, where, two years later, he became chamber musician to Frederick the Great of Prussia. In 1768 he became cantor at the Johanneum, Hamburg, and directed the music for the city's five major churches. He held these posts until his death.

Abandoning the strict polyphonic style of composition of his father, C. P. E. Bach became a leader of the new school of writing called EMPFINDSAMKEIT, a highly ornamented, emotional style similar to the French ROCOCO. His Essay on the True Art of Playing the Clavier (2 parts, 1753-62) was influential and gives insights into the musical practices of his time.