WILHELM FRIEDEMANN BACH  

The eldest son of Johann Sebastian Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann was born in 1710 in Weimar and was taught by his father, after 1723, when the family moved to Leipzig, becoming a pupil at the Thomasschule. He spent four years at the University of Leipzig, before finding employment as organist at the Sophienkirche in Dresden and subsequently, with unhappy results, at the Liebfrauenkirche in Halle. From 1764 until his death twenty years later he held no official position, although he had been widely recognised as one of the most distinguished organists of his time and had mastered very thoroughly the lessons taught him by his father. His own tendency to the freedom of thought of the Enlightenment had not endeared him to his Pietist superiors in Halle and independence of character rendered him gradually less employable, within the restrictive circumstances of his time.

Keyboard Music

W.F. Bach wrote a number of harpsichord sonatas, fantasias and shorter dance pieces. His contrapuntal command was shown in a series of fugues that also reflect something of his known distinction in organ improvisation. His Concerto for two harpsichords combines the Baroque and the newly developing classical style of his time.

Orchestral Music

Bach left a number of harpsichord concertos and sinfonias.

Chamber Music

Chamber music by W.F. Bach includes a set of flute duets and trio sonatas.

Church Music

The exigencies of his employment led Bach to the composition of a number of church cantatas.