Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the ‘English Bach’

Composer of the Week explores the life and music of the ‘English Bach’, Johann Christian Bach, whose blending of German technique with Italian lyricism, in his music, made him not only the leading composer in London but a favourite too with the likes of Mozart. He was the youngest son of J.S. Bach, and the first of Bach’s numerous sons to visit Italy where he had lessons with Padre Martini. J.C. Bach spent much time composing sacred music whilst in Italy but he soon got the opera bug and it was a commission for the Haymarket theatre in London which enticed him to travel to England where he remained based for the rest of his life. Bach became a music tutor to members of the Royal family and his operas were soon wowing London audiences. He also set up a famous series of London concerts with another musician, C.F. Abel. Celebrated singers of the age all wanted to perform arias by Bach, and when the Mozart family visited London, Bach became a mentor to the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. J.C. Bach also produced operas for European stages in Paris and Mannheim, and his works became so popular that many pirated editions appeared in print during his lifetime.

Music Featured:

Symphony in G minor, Op 6 No 6 (excerpt) Magnificat a 4 in C, W E 22 (excerpt) Harpsichord Concerto in F minor, W C73 Laudate pueri, W E 19 (excerpt) Sinfonia in D, Op 3 No 1 Artaserse, T. 217 (Vo solcando un mar crudele) Catone in Utica, W G2 (Overture) Beatus vir, W E 17 (excerpt) Non so d’onde viene (Ezio) Zanaida, W G5 (Overture) Zanaida (Tortorella abbandonata) Keyboard Concerto in D, Op 1 No 6, W C54 Sinfonia in G, Op 3 No 6 Hither turn thy wand’ring eyes Smiling Venus Sextet in C (Allegro) J. C. Bach, arr. W. A. Mozart: Concerto in D Adriano in Siria, T 211 (Cara, la dolce fiamma) Sonata for in G, Op 15 No 5 W A21 Adriano in Siria, T. 211 (Tutti nemici, e rei) Berenice (Confusa, smarrita) Oboe Concerto No 1 in F major, W. C80 (Allegro) Carattaco, T 221 (Fra l’orrore) Endimione, W G 15 (Semplicetto, ancor non sai) Symphony in E flat, Op 9 No 2, W. C19 Temistocle, T 238 (Ch’io parta) Temistocle, T 238 (Overture: Presto) La legge accetto, o Dei, T 234 (Orfeo ed Euridice) Quintet in D, Op 11 No 6 (Allegro) La Clemenza di Scipione, T 229 (Me infelice che intendo) Amadis de Gaule (A qui pourrai-je avoir recours) Missa Da Requiem (excerpt) Keyboard Sonata, Op 17 No 5

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mv5p

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z