The title Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (German:
Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach) refers to
either of two manuscript notebooks that the German
Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach presented to his
second wife, Anna Magdalena. Keyboard music (minuets,
rondeaux, polonaises, chorales, sonatas, preludes,
musettes, marches, gavottes) makes up most of both
notebooks, and a few pieces for voice (songs, and
arias) are included.
The two notebooks are known by their title page dates
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The title Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (German:
Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach) refers to
either of two manuscript notebooks that the German
Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach presented to his
second wife, Anna Magdalena. Keyboard music (minuets,
rondeaux, polonaises, chorales, sonatas, preludes,
musettes, marches, gavottes) makes up most of both
notebooks, and a few pieces for voice (songs, and
arias) are included.
The two notebooks are known by their title page dates
of 1722 and 1725. The title "Anna Magdalena notebook"
is commonly used to refer to the latter. The primary
difference between the two collections is that the 1722
notebook contains works only by Johann Sebastian Bach
(including most of the French Suites), while the 1725
notebook is a compilation of music by both Bach and
other composers of the era. It provides a nearly
unparalleled glimpse into the domestic music of the
18th century and the musical tastes of the Bach
family.
The 1725 notebook is larger than the 1722 one, and more
richly decorated. Light green paper is used for the
front cover, Anna Magdalena's initials and the year
number "1725" are printed in gold. All pages feature
gilt edging. Most of the entries in the 1725 notebook
were made by Anna Magdalena herself, with others
written in the hand of Johann Sebastian, some by sons
Johann Christian and Carl Philipp Emanuel, and a few by
family friends such as Johann Gottfried Bernhard and
Johann Gottfried Heinrich. Although the 1725 notebook
does contain work composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, it
also includes works by many other composers. The
authorship of several pieces is identified in the
notebook itself, while that of others was established
by researchers. The composers of still others,
including several popular songs of the time, remain
unknown.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notebook_for_Anna_Magdal
ena_Bach).
I created this arrangement of the Aria: "Gedenke doch,
mein Geist, zurücke" (Be mindful yet, my soul,
remember) for Oboe & Cello.
