BACH, JOHANN CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH

born June 21, 1732, Leipzig died Jan. 26, 1795, Bckeburg, Prussia longest surviving son of J.S. and Anna Magdalena Bach. Probably educated by his father's cousin Johann Elias Bach, J.C.F. Bach became a chamber musician to Count Wilhelm at Bckeburg in 1750, and was appointed concertmaster c. 1758. His career was steady and his output of compositions extensive. He made a successful transition from the late Baroque style into the pre-Classical style. His compositions were well received, and although they did not lead their times, they kept successfully abreast of them. He is at his best in his later symphonies, similar in style to those of Haydn. He also composed motets, oratorios (some in collaboration with the poet Johann Gottfried von Herder), piano sonatas, chamber cantatas, and instrumental chamber works.