BACH, WILHELM FRIEDEMANN

Bach, Wilhelm Friedemann: translation

(22 November 1710, Weimar, Saxony [modern Germany] – 1 July 1784, Berlin)

   Son of Johann Sebastian Bach, he became organist at St. Sophia’s Church in Dresden on 1 August 1733 and stayed until April 1746, when he became organist at the Liebfrauenkirche in Halle, a more prestigious and better paid position. He left in May 1764 over various conflicts and was not able to secure another permanent post. A renowned organ virtuoso, he composed more than 100 works, including sonatas, fugues, fantasias, and choral preludes. Twenty-one cantatas, two masses, and about a dozen other sacred vocal works also survive.