Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach

Historical context :

Johann Sebastian Bach's first wife, Maria Barbara, died on July 7, 1720, leaving him 7 children. The following year, while serving as Court Capellmeister at Anhalt-Cöthen, Bach remarried to Anna Magdalena Wilcken, a soprano singer at the court. In addition to raising Bach's children, she was to give him 13 more between the years of 1723 to 1742.

Bach's marriage to Anna Magdalena was a happy one, and they shared a common love of music. Bach dedicated some of his most inspired works to her, and she in turn contributed enthusiastically to her husband's work, transcribing his music and organizing regular musical evenings with visiting musicians at their Leipzig house.

Anna Magdalena received two Notebooks as personal gifts from Johann Sebastian, in 1722 and 1725. The 1722 notebook contains works by Johann Sebastian Bach only (among which most of the French Suites), while the 1725 notebook was with time filled with music by Bach and other composers of the era, including his sons.

The Notebook for Anna Magdalena undoubtedly fulfilled an educational purpose in the musical instruction of the Bach children. Furthermore, it can be regarded as a family musical album reflecting the tastes of the Bach family and offering a precious glimpse into the domestic music of the 18th century.

The sheet music :

• Menuet BWV Anhang 118 (unknown composer) :
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 118 in B flat Major
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 118 in B flat Major (Urtext)
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 118 in B flat Major
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 118 in B flat Major (Urtext)
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 118 in B flat Major
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 118 in B flat Major (Urtext)


• Polonaise BWV Anhang 119 (unknown composer) :
  • Polonaise BWV Anhang 119 in G minor
  • Polonaise BWV Anhang 119 in G minor (Urtext)
  • Polonaise BWV Anhang 119 in G minor
  • Polonaise BWV Anhang 119 in G minor (Urtext)
  • Polonaise BWV Anhang 119 in G minor
  • Polonaise BWV Anhang 119 in G minor (Urtext)


• Chorale BWV 512 by Johann Sebastian Bach :
  • Chorale BWV 512 in E minor
  • Chorale BWV 512 in E minor (Urtext)
  • Chorale BWV 512 in E minor
  • Chorale BWV 512 in E minor (Urtext)
  • Chorale BWV 512 in E minor
  • Chorale BWV 512 in E minor (Urtext)


• Menuet BWV Anhang 120 (unknown composer) :
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 120 in A minor
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 120 in A minor (Urtext)
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 120 in A minor
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 120 in A minor (Urtext)
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 120 in A minor
  • Minuet BWV Anhang 120 in A minor (Urtext)