C. P. E. Bach
1714–1788 · Germany · Baroque
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) was a German composer and keyboard virtuoso who served as court composer in Berlin and later as Kapellmeister in Hamburg. As the most celebrated son of J.S. Bach, he inherited his father's contrapuntal mastery while pioneering the empfindsamer Stil (sensitive style) that bridged the Baroque and Classical periods. Though primarily known for instrumental works and keyboard compositions, Bach composed numerous sacred cantatas and chorale-based pieces that demonstrated sophisticated harmonic language and expressive depth. His sacred music contributed significantly to the evolution of German Protestant church music in the 18th century, blending traditional Lutheran chorale practices with modernist sensibilities. Bach's theoretical writings and compositions profoundly influenced subsequent generations of composers and remain central to understanding the transition from Baroque to Classical sacred music.