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He was born on March 8, 1714.1)
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was Johann Sebastian and Maria Barbara Bach's (Sebastian's first wife) second surviving son.2)
Aside from his father, Emanuel never had a music teacher. There is no indication that he studied any other instrument save the piano.3)
Emanuel studied law from 1731 and 1738, first at the University of Leipzig and subsequently at the University of Frankfurt a der Oder.4)
Emanuel supported himself while studying at the University of Frankfurt a der Oder by offering piano lessons and composing for or directing public performances and events. Emanuel's composing career took off during his time at university.5)
He was appointed harpsichordist to Frederick II of Prussia, an outstanding flutist, in 1740, and remained as court accompanist for over 30 years. Despite the fact that the accompanist frequently had to double as a soloist, instructor, coach, Kapellmeister, composer, and arranger, Emanuel was the court's lowest-paid musician.6)
Emanuel's godfather was Georg Philipp Telemann, Kantor and director of music in Hamburg, Germany.7)
Telemann died in 1767, and Emanuel left the court of Frederick II in early 1768 to take up Telemann's job.8)