Johann Sebastian Bach had 20 children, easily making him the most prolific composer-dad in music history. With Father's Day just around the corner, we want to know which of J.S. Bach's composer sons made him the most proud. You compared their prolific careers, decided on Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and we played one of his symphonies today at 12 noon.
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Listen to his Sinfonia in E-flat)
- Highest opus number: 875
- Recordings in Arkivmusic: 386
- Years Lived: 74
- Top recognition: court of Frederick the Great in Berlin for 30 years
- Types of work: keyboard, concertos, sonatinas, chamber music, wind and string sonatas, trio sonatas, symphonies, solo voice, choral
Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (Listen to his Keyboard Concerto in A)
- Highest opus number: 19
- Recordings in Arkivmusic: 40
- Years Lived: 62
- Top post: court musician in Bückeburg
- Types of work: orchestral, chamber, keyboard, oratorios, sacred cantatas, arias, songs
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (Listen to his Suite in G)
- Highest opus number: 106
- Recordings in Arkivmusic: 85
- Years Lived: 73
- Top post: court musician in Dresden; organist at church in Halle
- Types of work: keyboard, concertos, chamber, orchestral, church cantatas, sacred, vocal
Johann Christian Bach (Listen to his Symphony in D)
- Highest opus number: 358
- Recordings in Arkivmusic: 193
- Years Lived: 46
- Top recognition: lessons to British royal family, commissions from Mannheim court and Academie Royale de Musique in Paris
- Types of work: vocal, dramatic, cantatas and serenatas, symphonies, overtures, concertos, wind music, chamber music, keyboard
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About Showdown @ High Noon
Every Wednesday morning, vote for the piece you want to hear at noon.
Comments [14]
PDQ! PDQ Bach no question no worries!
Johann Sebastian was most proud of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, whom he doted on -- in part, perhaps, because WF was his oldest son; but most musicologists would call Carl Philipp Emanuel the greatest of the Bach sons, I'm sure.
Surely, I am not the only piano student who worked on C.P.E. Bach's 'Solfegietto' in cminor! It's my "go-to" piece to warm up skipping a few scales! I was just enjoying using it for that purpose last night after my piano tuner left. This Sinfonia affirms my opinion of his music as engaging and joyful. Thanks so much for this lesson!
Oy...listeners! Get a sense of humor, already! It's not a treatise on parent-children relationships -- it's a light-hearted way of asking a question. Give 'em a break!
I agree, why isn't PDQ included?
I vote for Johann Christian Bach
You left off P.D.Q. Bach. But since he's not in the running, I'll vote for J.C. Bach.
As a parent of 3 children I find it dificult to say who I'm most proud of. An unfair question to any parent to be put on the spot. As for the music, I went with WF Bach for his stylish methods.
Excellent, fascinating question! And nice to be given the opportunity to "comparison shop" the sons' music. I'm sure Bach was equally proud of all of his children, BTW....:>)
As Tom and Ray Magliozzi ("The Car Guys") would say: this is sooooo Booogus! Which son is a father most proud of! Come on, guys! Each of Bach's many children are wonderful, in their own right. He had 20 children, 10 of whom reached adulthood. What about the other 6 of his (adult) children? I'm inclined to agree with Michael: the question is somewhat ugly. But, I suppose we're talking music here.
Well of those CPE, but without question the real winner is PDQ.
Johann Christian Bach is the one who makes me stop and go, "Who is that?" whenever he is played on the radio. Like his father, I find much of his phrasing just flat beautiful. And quite modern.
Wilhelm Friedemann clearly had the best sense of style. He gets my vote.
Whoever wrote the question, as to which of Bach's children made him the most proud, is not the parent of more than one child. If you are, it is an ugly question.
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