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Donald Macleod journeys through the months Mozart was in London being mentored by JC Bach.

Composer of the Week explores the life and music of the ‘English Bach’, Johann Christian Bach, whose blending of German technique with Italian lyricism in his music made him not only the leading composer in London but a favourite too with the likes of Mozart. He was the youngest son of JS Bach, and the first of Bach’s numerous sons to visit Italy, where he had lessons with Padre Martini. JC Bach spent much time composing sacred music whilst in Italy, but he soon got the opera bug, and it was a commission for the Haymarket theatre in London which enticed him to travel to England, where he remained based for the rest of his life. Bach became a music tutor to members of the royal family, and his operas were soon wowing London audiences. He also set up a famous series of London concerts with another musician, CF Abel. Celebrated singers of the age all wanted to perform arias by Bach, and when the Mozart family visited London, Bach became a mentor to the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. JC Bach also produced operas for European stages in Paris and Mannheim, and his works became so popular that many pirated editions appeared in print during his lifetime.

At the end of 1764, Leopold Mozart brought his two children to London, where they were soon granted an audience by King George III and Queen Charlotte. Their summons to perform before a royal audience was probably down to the Queen’s Master of Music, Johann Christian Bach, who would become a mentor figure to Wolfgang whilst the Mozart family was in the city. Nannerl Mozart recalled seeing Bach and her brother performing duets together, and Bach also guided Mozart in the composing of a number of works, including a sonata for piano, four-hands. Mozart went on to say of Bach that he loved and respected him with all his heart.

Smiling Venus
Maria Zadori, soprano
Capella Savaria
Pal Nemeth, conductor

Sextet in C (Allegro)
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock, director

J. C. Bach, arr. W. A. Mozart
Concerto in D
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock, directed

Adriano in Siria, T. 211 (Cara, la dolce fiamma)
Philippe Jaroussky (Farnaspe), countertenor
Le Cercle De L’Harmonie
Jérémie Rhorer, director

Sonata for in G, Op 15 No 5 W. A21
Piano Duo Genova & Dimitrov
Agilka Genova, piano
Liuben Dimitrov, piano

Produced by Luke Whitlock