Check out some things you might not have known about CPE Bach.
- CPE Bach was severely underpaid at the court of Frederick the Great.
- He was an astute businessman, meticulous record-keeper, punctilious accountant, and published his own music.
- He was the first to suggest in print that musicians should move, show emotion, practice, and use their thumbs when playing the piano.
- Throughout the 18th century, he was known as ‘Bach’, much more famously than his father, J.S.
- His music is packed with invention and unpredictability – sudden changes of mood, strange harmonies, and shocking pauses – Haydn draws much of his humour, spontaneity, etc. from CPE.
- He was sociable, vivacious, and humorous.
- He had an enormous portrait collection.