C.P.E. Bach

Born: March 8, 1714

Died: December 14, 1788

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was one of the most influential composers of Johann Sebastian Bach's 16 children. He is a very important figure in the transition period from the Baroque to the Classical Era, however, his music was still primarily in the baroque style and often emulated the work of his father.

He was one of the main composers who began writing in the classical style and his music influenced the compositions of composers such as W.A. Mozart and F. J. Haydn. His music can be described as a breakaway from the Italian school of composition and the beginning of the use of improvisatory themes that would be seen much later on.

Later on, when Bach succeeded Georg Philipp Telemann as Kapellmeister at Hamburg, he began to focus more on religious music for the church writing masses and primarily oratorios. He died in December of 1788. His name lived on until the 19th century. However, with the rise of research in music, as well as technology and recording, C.P.E. Bach is just as important now as he was during his life.

C.P.E. Bach's Concerto in D Minor, pt. 1

Jean-Philippe Rameau

Born: Dijon- September 25, 1683

Died: Dijon- September 12, 1764

Rameau was one of the first important French Composers of Opera. He is as well one of the most important music theorists in the Baroque Era. In addition to his operatic works, he composed many other vocal works as well as instrumental works for particularly the harpsichord. His work was done alongside Francois Couperin. One doesn't generally think about Rameau without Couperin or the other major French Composers of the Baroque Era.

Going back to the point about being a music theorist, he published his "Treatise On Harmony" in 1722. It was that research which made him well known amongst people of the time as well as musicians of today. It was around that time when Rameau considered a start to writing opera in his career.

Rameau's music is considered elegant and beautiful now as it was back then and people expected his work to match his personality. He had a much warmer and complex style of music for the era compared to some of his contemporaries which can be easily heard in his music. However, history states that he was a pretty bland person when he wasn't engrossed in his music having a complete lack of a personality. Diderot, a French satirist of the time even wrote a novel about Rameau called: Le Neveu de Rameau.

As time passed, Rameau's productivity slowed down because of aging and illness. He managed to write out a few more works before he died in 1764.

Rameau - Cinquieme Concert in D Minor, Mvt. 1

Domenico Scarlatti

Born: Naples- October 16, 1685

Died: Madrid- July 23, 1757

An Italian composer of the Baroque era (born the same year as J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel), Scarlatti is considered by some to have shaped the style of classical composers (eg. Mozart, Hayden, Schubert). Born in Napoli to the famed composer Alessandro Scarlatti, he continued writing as his father did, though with a more radical style for the time for transitioning into the Classical Era. In addition, he was an establish harpsichordist.

Scarlatti spent most of his career composing for the Spanish and Portuguese Royal Families. However he did compose several operas for the Polish Queen Casimire for production in her theaters. Regardless of his opera compositions, Scarlatti is mainly known for his keyboard sonatas after his father.

In Madrid, Scarlatti befriended the Neapolitan castrato singer Farinelli who as well worked for the Royal Families. His friendship with Farinelli was very important because it was he, Farinelli, who recalled the most of his life and their friendship in writing. Scarlatti died in Madrid at the age of 71.

Domenico Scarlatti's Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, K.1