The Bach Family of Musicians
J. S. Bach, J. C. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, W.F. Bach
Mar 17, 2007 Sarah Canice Funke
Johann Sebastian Bach turns 322 on March 21, 2007. But while everyone has heard of the composer who gave us the majestic Toccata and Fugue in D minor (whose ominous introduction sets the backdrop to many a haunted house scenario), little is widely known about the rest of the Bach family. J. S. Bach was descended from a rather long line of musicians, many of whom who also contributed to the standard western art music repertoire.
J.S. Bach did a little historical investigation himself regarding his family tree, and his material provides much of the information we have on the Bach family today. Spanning several generations, the musical portion of the family thrived primarily in the 16th through 18th centuries, a period coinciding with the rise and decline of court-and-church-sponsored musical positions.
Though several of Bach's ancestors and relatives were practicing musicians, there are a few in particular that merit mention.
Johann Christoph Bach was the cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach's father. He wrote a 22-part concerto for Michelmas, Es erhub sich ein Streit, a work still highly regarded as exemplary 17th century vocal art.
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was the second son of Johann Sebastian. He carried on his father's keyboard virtuosity and pedagogical skill. Besides composing for the keyboard and orchestra, Carl Philipp Emanuel also wrote rather authoritatively for amateur musicians desiring to instruct themselves in "The True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments." Differing from his father's Baroque style, C.P.E. Bach wrote in the less ornate Classical style of the latter 18th century.
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach was the eldest son of Johann Sebastian. Like his father before him, this Bach was also an organist and composer. Like his brother C.P.E. Bach, he too marks the transition from the Baroque to Classical eras. Among W.F. Bach's pupils was Sarah Levy, the great-aunt of Felix Mendelssohn.
J.S. Bach stands out from his relatives in large part due to the efforts of Felix Mendelssohn. The latter composer, also German, repeatedly performed and promoted J.S. Bach's work, renewing interest in the Baroque composer's music.
Another reason for the longevity of J.S. Bach is his prolific contribution to both church music and pedagogical works: his cantatas and oratorios are still frequently performed in worship services today and nearly every piano student will learn a prelude and fugue from J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. Also, a popular hymn tune "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" is derived from a chorale found in St. Matthew's Passion.
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