Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)

With Donald Macleod. JC Bach rejects a typically Bach career as a provincial organist.

Donald Macleod introduces music and stories from the life of Johann Christian Bach, these days best known as the younget son of JS Bach, but in his day, the most famous Bach of all. Today, we follow JC Bach as he veers away from a typically Bach career as a provincial organist, and heads instead to Italy, and opera.

With Donald Macleod. JC Bach rejects a typically Bach career as a provincial organist.

Donald Macleod explores JC Bach's activities in 18th-century London.

They must have made quite a threesome - two German composers, Johann Christian Bach and Carl Friedrich Abel, and the English painter Thomas Gainsborough. Bach and Abel were housemates, and business partners, collaborating on a series of subscription concerts in Soho for twenty years. Gainsborough, famously boozy and passionate about music, was the third side of the triangle, risking their ridicule by performing for them, and swapping his paintings for his friends' instruments. Donald Macleod discovers what they got up to in 18th-century London.

Donald Macleod discusses JC Bach's friendship with German composer Carl Friedrich Abel.

Donald Macleod introduces music and stories from the life of Johann Christian Bach - today, his friendships with the German composer Carl Abel, and the painter Thomas Gainsborough.

They must have made quite a threesome - two German composers, Johann Christian Bach and Carl Friedrich Abel, and the English painter Thomas Gainsborough. Bach and Abel were housemates, and business partners, collaborating on a series of subscription concerts in Soho for twenty years. Gainsborough, famously boozy and passionate about music, was the third side of the triangle, risking their ridicule by performing for them, and swapping his paintings for his friends' instruments. Donald Macleod discovers what they got up to in 18th-century London.

Donald Macleod discusses JC Bach's friendship with German composer Carl Friedrich Abel.

In 1764, the Mozarts' tour of Europe took them to London, where the Royal music master, JC Bach, arranged for them to perform for the King and Queen. The relationship between Bach and the eight-year-old Mozart flourished - and as Donald Macleod discovers in today's programme, young Wolfgang's chief ambition was that 'my name will be as famous as that of Christian Bach'.

Donald Macleod dicusses JC Bach's relationship with his famous pupil - Mozart.

Donald Macleod explores Johann Christian Bach's relationship with his famous pupil - the eight-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

In 1764, the Mozarts' tour of Europe took them to London, where the Royal music master, JC Bach, arranged for them to perform for the King and Queen. The relationship between Bach and the eight-year-old Mozart flourished - and as Donald Macleod discovers in today's programme, young Wolfgang's chief ambition was that 'my name will be as famous as that of Christian Bach'.

Donald Macleod dicusses JC Bach's relationship with his famous pupil - Mozart.

He tells the story of JC Bach's decline. Johann Christian was famous - the toast of 18th century London society, music master and friend of Queen Charlotte, musical mentor to Mozart. Yet when he died, he left substantial debts and was buried in an unmarked grave, with only four people present.

Donald Macleod discovers the sad end of Johann Christian Bach.

Donald Macleod concludes his exploration of the life and work of JC Bach, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian.

He tells the story of JC Bach's decline. Johann Christian was famous - the toast of 18th century London society, music master and friend of Queen Charlotte, musical mentor to Mozart. Yet when he died, he left substantial debts and was buried in an unmarked grave, with only four people present.

Donald Macleod discovers the sad end of Johann Christian 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 JS Bach, and the first of Bach's numerous sons to visit Italy, where he had lessons with Padre Martini. JC 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, CF 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. JC 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.

Born in 1735, Johann Christian Bach grew up in a bustling and musical household. His father's job as director of music to all four of Leipzig's churches, meant a great deal of music making went on, not least with the pupils of the school attached to St. Thomas's church. It was in this very early period that his father JS Bach, argued with the rector of the school over which student should be the new choral prefect. This argument escalated into the courts, and became a very public affair.

JC Bach would have had some form of music instruction from his father, but when JS Bach died in 1750, he soon found himself travelling to Berlin to live with his half-brother CPE Bach, who now supervised the music JC composed. A few years later, CPE Bach organised a job for JC as organist in Zittau, but J.C. rejected this and soon with the support of Prince Lobkowitz, found his way to Milan where Count Litta would become his patron. Bach remained in Italy for eight years, where he not only studied with Padre Martini and composed a great deal of sacred music, but he was also appointed as second organist to Milan Cathedral.

Symphony in G minor, Op 6 No 6 (excerpt)

Academy of Ancient Music

Simon Standage, director

Magnificat a 4 in C, W. E22 (excerpt)

Jo退lle Harvey, soprano

Arcangelo

Jonathan Cohen, director

Harpsichord Concerto in F minor, W. C73

Anthony Halstead, harpsichord and director

The Hanover Band

Laudate pueri, W.E 19 (excerpt)

Joanne Lunn, soprano

Georg Poplutz, tenor

Concerto K怀ln

Gerhard Jenemann, director

Sinfonia in D, Op 3 No 1

Budapest Camerata

Hanspeter Gmur, conductor

Artaserse, T. 217 (Vo solcando un mar crudele)

Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor

Le Cercle De L'Harmonie

J退r退mie Rhorer, director

Donald Macleod delves into Johann Christian Bach's early life.

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 JS Bach, and the first of Bach's numerous sons to visit Italy, where he had lessons with Padre Martini. JC 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, CF 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. JC 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.

JC Bach had his operatic debut in Turin in 1760, although the production was plagued by delays and cancellations. However, he was soon commissioned to compose a second opera for Naples, Catone in Utica, which was greatly applauded. A second commission came from Naples, but as Bach was still employed by Count Litta back in Milan, and also as an organist for Milan Cathedral, the Austrian Governor Count Firmian had to step in to ask for Bach to be allowed to remain in Naples to compose this new work for royal command. The opera was called Alessandro nell'Indie, and JC created some of his finest arias for the German singer Anton Raaff.

When Bach returned to Milan from Naples, he soon found himself in trouble with the authorities for flirting with female opera singers. Then in 1762, an offer came for another new opera from London. This led to further frustrations with the Milan authorities, so Bach tendered his resignation and left for England. Although the Haymarket wasn't what he'd been used to as an opera house, Bach soon found that his works were very popular in London. Having lived there for only eighteen months, pirated editions of his music were now being regularly circulated, so much so that King George III granted him a Royal Licence and Privilege for the sole printing and publishing of his works. Soon Bach would be giving music lessons to the queen, and accompanying the king in chamber music.

Catone in Utica, W. G2 (Overture)

Hanover Band

Anthony Halstead, conductor

Beatus vir, W.E 17 (excerpt)

Thomas E. Bauer, bass

Süddeutscher Kammerchor

Concerto K怀ln

Gerhard Jenemann, director

Non so d'onde viene (Ezio)

Ben Johnson, tenor

The Mozartists

Ian Page, director

Zanaida, W. G5 (Overture)

Anthony Halstead, director

Zanaida (Tortorella abbandonata)

Teodora Gheorghiu (Zanaida), soprano

Les Talens Lyriques

Christophe Rousset, conductor

Keyboard Concerto in D, Op 1 No 6, W. C54

Anthony Halstead, harpsichord

Sinfonia in G, Op 3 No 6

Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Hither turn thy wand'ring eyes

Maria Zadori, soprano

Capella Savaria

Pal Nemeth, conductor

Donald Macleod delves into JC Bach's early career as a composer for the stage.

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 JS Bach, and the first of Bach's numerous sons to visit Italy, where he had lessons with Padre Martini. JC 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, CF 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. JC 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.

At the end of 1764, Leopold Mozart brought his two children to London, where they were soon granted an audience by King George III and Queen Charlotte. Their summons to perform before a royal audience was probably down to the Queen's Master of Music, Johann Christian Bach, who would become a mentor figure to Wolfgang whilst the Mozart family was in the city. Nannerl Mozart recalled seeing Bach and her brother performing duets together, and Bach also guided Mozart in the composing of a number of works, including a sonata for piano, four-hands. Mozart went on to say of Bach that he loved and respected him with all his heart.

Smiling Venus

Maria Zadori, soprano

Capella Savaria

Pal Nemeth, conductor

Sextet in C (Allegro)

The English Concert

Trevor Pinnock, director

J. C. Bach, arr. W. A. Mozart

Concerto in D

Trevor Pinnock, directed

Adriano in Siria, T. 211 (Cara, la dolce fiamma)

Philippe Jaroussky (Farnaspe), countertenor

Le Cercle De L'Harmonie

J退r退mie Rhorer, director

Sonata for in G, Op 15 No 5 W. A21

Piano Duo Genova & Dimitrov

Agilka Genova, piano

Liuben Dimitrov, piano

Donald Macleod explores the period during which JC Bach mentored WA Mozart.

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 JS Bach, and the first of Bach's numerous sons to visit Italy, where he had lessons with Padre Martini. JC 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, CF 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. JC 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.

Bach had become one of the most important musical figures in London with regular commissions for opera, his music frequently performed in the cities pleasure gardens, and appointed Master of the Queen's Music. Next, he began a fruitful collaboration with fellow London musician, CF Abel. The pair established a set of subscription concerts which became highly popular. Their circle of friends included the actor-manager David Garrick, opera director Thomas Sheridan, and the artist Thomas Gainsborough. Gainsborough's paintings adorned the interior of the concert hall in Hanover Square where their concerts took place, and he also painted both Bach and Abel a number of times.

Also in this period, Bach fell in love with the daughter of the flautist Johann Baptist Wendling, but on travelling to Mannheim to compose an opera there, Bach soon realised that her affections were for the Elector of Mannheim, and not him.

Adriano in Siria, T. 211 (Tutti nemici, e rei)

Philippe Jaroussky (Adriano), countertenor

Le Cerdle De L'Harmonie

J退r退mie Rhorer, director

Berenice (Confusa, smarrita)

Anna Devin, soprano

The Mozartists

Ian Page, director

Oboe Concerto No 1 in F major, W. C80 (Allegro)

Anthony Robson, oboe

The Hanover Band

Anthony Halstead, conductor

Carattaco, T.221 (Fra l'orrore)

Philippe Jaroussky (Carattaco), countertenor

Le Cercle De L'Harmonie

Endimione, W. G 15 (Semplicetto, ancor non sai)

Sandrine Piau (Diana), soprano

Le Concert de la Loge

Julien Chauvin, conductor

Symphony in E flat, Op 9 No 2, W. C19

Camerata Budapest

Hanspeter Gmür, conductor

Temistocle, T. 238 (Ch'io parta)

Philippe Jaroussky (Lisimaco), countertenor

Donald Macleod explores JC Bach's friendship with Abel and Gainsborough.

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 JS Bach, and the first of Bach's numerous sons to visit Italy, where he had lessons with Padre Martini. JC 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, CF 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. JC 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.

Bach's final years were marked by a number of jubilant occurrences. He married the singer, Cecilia Grassi, who had previously performed in a number of premieres of his works. Bach also received a commission to compose an opera for Paris, where he travelled and met Mozart again. His music remained popular in London and abroad, with publications of his works issued all around Europe.

We also hear how Bach was held up by highwaymen on his way to Richmond. Bach had rented a house there to be close to the royal family's summer residence. His new housekeeper turned out to be far from honest, and he soon found himself confronted by angry merchants with unpaid debts amounting to over a thousand pounds. Bach and his wife continued to live rather lavishly in their new house in Paddington, and when he died, creditors broke into the room where he lay to find money and objects to pay off his debts.

Temistocle, T. 238 (Overture: Presto)

Hanover Band

Anthony Halstead, conductor

La legge accetto, o Dei, T.234 (Orfeo ed Euridice)

Philippe Jaroussky (Carattaco), countertenor

Le Cercle De L'Harmonie

J退r退mie Rhorer, director

Quintet in D, Op 11 No 6 (Allegro)

The English Concert

Trevor Pinnock, director

La Clemenza di Scipione, T. 229 (Me infelice che intendo)

V退ronique Gens, soprano

Sandrine Piau, soprano

Le Concert de La Loge

Julien Chauvin, conductor

Amadis de Gaule (A qui pourrai-je avoir recours)

Mojca Erdmann (Oriane), soprano

Le Cetra Barockorchester Basel

Andrea Marcon, conductor

Missa Da Requiem (excerpt)

Lenneke Ruiten, soprano

Ruth Sandhoff, alto

Colin Balzer, tenor

Thomas Bauer, bass

RIAS Kammerchor

Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin

Hans-Christoph Radermann, conductor

Keyboard Sonata, Op 17 No 5

See Siang Wong, piano

Donald Macleod delves into JC Bach's eventful final years, including a visit to Paris.