Johann Christian Bach

Johann Christian Bach was born 5 September 1735, trained first by his father Johann Sebastian, then by his half-brother Carl Philipp Emanuel in Berlin. He traveled to Italy to study with Padre Martini in Bologna and landed an organist post at Milan Cathedral. In 1762 he moved to London as composer to the King's Theatre, writing a string of successful Italian operas. He developed the sinfonia concertante form and became one of the most influential figures of the classical period, shaping the compositional styles of Haydn and Mozart. He died 1 January 1782.