Anna Magdalena Bach's Book

This very special disc from Australia's best known harpsichord virtuoso, Elizabeth Anderson, and her son, boy soprano, Jacob Lawrence features the much loved Anna Magdalena notebook including many well known tracks such as the timeless 'Bist du bei mir'.

Also featured is the aria that forms the theme of the Goldberg variations.

Anna Magdalena Bach was the second wife of Johann Sebastian Bach. Recent research has indicated Anna Magdalena Bach, was not only the second highest paid professional musician at the Cothen Court behind her husband Johann, but was also a fine composer.

There is strong evidence to suggest that she herself may have been the author of several of the works contained within this book, including the aria on which the Goldberg variations are based, and the famous C major prelude later used by Gounod as the basis of his famous 'Ave Maria'.

The tuning system used in this recording follows the diagram left by Bach himself on the cover of the on the title page of his Well-Tempered Clavier (1722). This fine CD is sure to appeal to all lovers of fine music, not just early music enthusiasts.

Artists

Jacob Lawrence

Elizabeth Anderson

Elizabeth Anderson has performed in no less than eleven international concert tours to Europe, Japan and Singapore. She is a regular guest lecturer and performer at universities and music schools throughout Australia.


Press quotes

“...this transcendental music is performed with outstanding expertise and expressiveness...”

— New Classics, UK

“As Lawrence's experience continues to expand, he will develop an even greater sense of line and rhtymic flow ... this mixture of harpsichord, organ and vocal music makes for pleasnat listening.”

— Tony Way, The Age - Green Guide

“Anderson's keyboard virtuosity, as soloist and sympathetic accompanist, shines...”

— Bob Crimeen, Sunday Herald Sun

“It takes a musician of high order, such as Elizabeth Anderson (in superb form) to reveal the magic enshrined in these deceptively easy minatures and her every contribution provides unalloyed listening delight”

— Neville Cohn, Oz Arts Review

Audio previews

Track Listing

  1. Bist du bei mir BWV 508 2:32
  2. Menuet in a minor BWV 120 :37
  3. Prelude in C major BWV 846 2:59
  4. Menuet in c minor BWV 121 :38
  5. Schaff's mit mir BWV 514 :57

    6. French Suite No.2 in minor BWV 813

  6. Allemande 1:48
  7. Courante 1:36
  8. Sarabande 1:51
  9. Gedenke doch, mein Geist, zurücke BWV 509 1:14
  10. Marche in Eb major BWV Anh. 127 :45
  11. Dir, Dir Jehova BWV 299 1:49
  12. Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten BWV 691 1:31
  13. Les Bergeries BWV Anh. 183 3:56
  14. Aria di Giovannini: Willst du dein Herz mir schenken BWV 518 1:44
  15. Solo per il Cembalo Wq. 65/7 1:31
  16. J.S.B. Gib dich zu frieden BWV 511/512 :54
  17. Polonoise in g minor BWV Anh. 123 1:06
  18. Menuets in G BWV Anh. 115 1:32
  19. Menuet in G major BWV Anh. 116 :50
  20. Aria from the Goldberg Variations BWV 988 2:19
  21. Aria: Warum betrübst du dich BWV 516 1:23
  22. Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seelen BWV 517 1:31

    23. French Suite No. 1 in d minor BWV 812

  23. Allemande 2:09
  24. Courante 1:49
  25. Sarabande 1:18
  26. Menuet 1re :50
  27. Menuet 2de 1:38
  28. Gigue 1:25
  29. Polonaise in d minor BWV Anh. 128 :40
  30. Musette in D major BWV Anh. 126 :36
  31. Menuet in d minor BWV Anh. 132 :44
  32. March in D major BWV Anh. 122 :32
  33. Menuet in g minor BWV Anh. 118 :44
  34. Poloneise in g minor BWV Anh. 119 :32
  35. March in G major BWV Anh. 124 :37
  36. Polonoise in g minor BWV Anh. 125 :55
  37. So oft ich meine Tobackspfeife BWV 515 1:00
  38. Menuet fait par Mons. Böhm :46
  39. Polonaise BWV Anh. 130 :56

    40. Partita No. 3 in a minor BWV 827

  40. Prelude (later titled Fantasia) 2:36
  41. Allemande 1:46
  42. Corrente 1:58
  43. Sarabande 1:28
  44. Menuet (later titled Burlesca) 1:18
  45. Gigue 1:37
  46. Gib dich zu frieden BWV 510 1:01
  47. O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort BWV 513 1:13
  48. Polonoise in F major BWV Anh. 117 :44
  49. Menuet in F major BWV Anh. 114 :45
  50. Piece in F major BWV Anh. 131 :45
  51. Recit: Ich habe genug BWV 82, 2 :56
  52. Aria: Schlummert ein BWV 82, 3 6:21

Performers

Availability

Anna Magdalena Bach's Book can be purchased online through Buywell Just Classical or the Australian Music Centre who both offer secure online ordering.

This title is also available in (or can be ordered through) many fine music retailers across Australia, including Thomas’, Discurio and Readings.

Product details

List price
$26.00 AUD
Total playing time
74 minutes 42 seconds
Categories
Baroque, Classical, Keyboard, Vocal
Catalogue number
MD 3304
Alternate catalogue number
MD3304
Barcode
EAN 9314574330427