The most illustrious offspring of Johann Sebastian (the second surviving son) was born 1714 in Weimar. He studied with his father and taught his youngest brother, Johann Christian.

Carl Philipp Emanuel began his career studying law (1731), but nine years later became court musician to crown prince Frederick (later "the Great"). In 1767 he succeeded his godfather, Telemann, as music director at the Hamburg church.

Carl Philipp Emanuel wrote keyboard works, concertos, symphonies, and numerous choral works. His "Versuch über die wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen (1753-62)" is an important theoretical work. In 1774-75 Carl Philipp Emanuel updated his father's "Ursprung der musicalisch-Bachischen Familie", a valuable source of information about the Bach family of musicians.

Recordings

Cello Concertos, Sinfonias
US CA DE FR UK

Sonatas and Rondos
US CA DE FR UK