Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann

the "Halle" Bach, eldest son of JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH; b. Weimar, Nov. 22, 1710; d. Berlin, July l, 1784. He studied with his father at the Thomasschule (1723-29) and violin with J. G. Graun in Merseburg (1726). In 1729 he enrolled at the University of Leipzig in mathematics, philosophy, and law. Between 1733 and 1770 he held several positions as organist and choir master in various cities, eventually settling in Berlin in 1774, where he spent the final decade of his life. He also became involved in unfortunate business dealings and died in poverty.

Wilhelm was a highly gifted composer, alternating between his father's style and the more emotional music favored by CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL. Wilhelm also blackened his own reputation when he claimed some of his father's music for his own, and, conversely, forged the older Bach's signature on at least one of his own pieces.