Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was born on March 8, 1718, in Weimar, Germany, one of twenty siblings that were ultimately born to J. S. Bach and his two wives. Carl Philip Emanuel began his career studying law (1731), but nine years later became court musician to crown prince Frederick (later "the Great"). In 1767 he succeeded his godfather, Telemann, as music director at the Hamburg church. A Rococo style composer C.P.E. Bach was a distinguished author of joyful music.

Carl Philipp Emanuel wrote keyboard works, concertos, symphonies, and numerous choral works. He also changed styles with the times demonstrating a spectacular adaptation skills. His Versuch über die wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen (1753-62) is an important theoretical work. In 1774-75 Carl Philipp Emanuel updated his father's Ursprung der musicalisch-Bachischen Familie, a valuable source of information about the Bach family of musicians. C.P.E. Bach met Mozart, whom he influenced profoundly, and also had impact on the lives of other composers.

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach died in Hamburg, on December 14, 1788, and was grieved by the entire musical community of Europe.