Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) was a German composer and musician, known as one of the most important figures of the Classical period. He was the second son of the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach and made significant contributions to the development of sonata form and symphony. C.P.E. Bach's music is characterized by its emotional depth and innovative use of harmony. He served as a court musician in Berlin and later in Hamburg, where he composed numerous works, including keyboard sonatas and symphonies, that influenced later composers like Haydn and Beethoven.