Bach, Johann (John) Christian

the "London" Bach, noted German composer, 11th son of JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH; b. Leipzig, Sept. 5, 1735; d. London, Jan. 1, 1782. Johann Christian studied with his father and, after 1750, with his stepbrother C. P. E. Bach in Berlin. In 1754 he went to Italy, where he studied with Padre Martini. He remained in Italy through 1762, traveling widely and composing several successful operas there. In his final years in the country, Johann Christian converted to Catholicism in order to hold the post of organist at Milan's Cathedral.

In 1762 Johann Christian moved to London, where his opera Orione, ossia Diana vendicata was premiered a year later. Its success led to his appointment as music master to the queen in 1764. Bach remained in London for the rest of his life and became a highly celebrated composer and performer. When young WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART came to London in 1764, Bach took an interest in him and improvised with him at the keyboard. Mozart retained a lifelong affection for him and used three of Bach's keyboard sonatas as models for his earliest piano concertos.

In addition to his operas, Johann Christian Bach wrote many instrumental works in different styles, including 49 symphonies, several keyboard concertos, chamber music, violin sonatas, and numerous piano sonatas. His music was based on the GALLANT STYLE of the second half of the 18th century, highly ornamented, with parts specifically written to display the instrumentalist's virtuosity. In this way, he totally departed from his father's ideals, and his music became an important influence on the Classical era.