Karl Friedrich Abel

Karl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787) was a German-born British musician.

He studied with Johann Sebastian Bach, then worked as an orchestral player at Dresden, 1748-58. He moved to London in 1759, becoming chamber musician to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. He went into partnership with Bach's youngest son Johann Christian Bach, who had also moved to London; they held Bach-Abel subscription concerts from 1765 until J. C. Bach's death in 1782.

He composed several symphonies, overtures and sonatas.