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German composer and keyboardist of the pre-Classical era, second surviving son of Johann Sebastian BachFifth child of J.S. Bach, served 30 years at Frederick the Great's court before succeeding Telemann as Hamburg's music director. Pioneered empfindsamer Stil (sensitive style), bridging Baroque and Classical eras. Composed over 800 works including symphonies, concertos, and keyboard sonatas.

• Known as the 'Berlin Bach' during his court service, but clashed with Frederick the Great over artistic freedom, prompting his move to Hamburg
• His influential treatise 'Versuch über die wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen' (Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments) became the definitive pedagogical work for generations
• Mozart famously declared 'He is the father, we are the children!' acknowledging C.P.E. Bach's revolutionary impact on Classical form
• Suffered severe vision loss in later years but continued composing by dictation until his death from respiratory illness at 74