Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach

Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach
Portrait of Bach, by Georg David Matthieu, 1774
Born	(1732-06-21)21 June 1732 Leipzig
Died	26 January 1795(1795-01-26) (aged 62) Bückeburg
Occupations	Harpsichordist Composer

Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (21 June 1732 – 26 January 1795)^[1] was a German composer and harpsichordist, the fifth son of Johann Sebastian Bach, sometimes referred to as the "Bückeburg Bach".

Born in Leipzig^[1] in the Electorate of Saxony, he was taught music by his father, and also tutored by his distant cousin Johann Elias Bach [de]. He studied at the St. Thomas School, and some believe he studied law at the university there, but there is no record of this. In 1750, William, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe appointed Johann Christoph harpsichordist at Bückeburg, and in 1759, he became concertmaster. While there, Bach collaborated with Johann Gottfried Herder, who provided the texts for six vocal works; the music survives for only four of these.

Bach wrote keyboard sonatas, symphonies, oratorios, liturgical choir pieces and motets, operas and songs. Because of Count Wilhelm's predilection for Italian music, Bach had to adapt his style accordingly, but he retained stylistic traits of the music of his father and of his brother, C. P. E. Bach.

He married the singer Lucia Elisabeth Münchhausen (1728–1803) in 1755^[2] and the Count stood as godfather to his son Wilhelm Friedrich Ernst Bach. J.C.F. educated his son in music as his own father had, and Wilhelm Friedrich Ernst went on to become music director to Frederick William II of Prussia.

In April 1778 he and Wilhelm travelled to England to visit Johann Christian Bach. J. C. F. Bach died 1795 in Bückeburg, aged 62.