Christian Cyclopedia

(1714–88). Son of J. S. Bach; link bet. him and J. Haydn; assoc. with Klopstock; for a time in service of Frederick the Great. His Versuch über die wahre Art das Klavier zu spielen was the first well-organized treatise on playing keyboard instruments. His compositions often lack depth and show the influence of the Rationalistic Era; his Fantasy and Fugue in C Minor for organ represents him at his best. See also Oratorio; Passion, The.

K. P. E. Bach, Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments, ed. and tr. W. J. Mitchell (New York, 1948).