605

-". SELECTIONS FROM ANNA MAGDALENA'S NOTEBOOK

-" EDI T E D B Y \'>7 rL 1 A R 1) A. P)\ L.~'l ' i1 R .I

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A ~ A L F R E D 1\1 A S T E R \XI o f{ K E () I T I ( ) N

$6.50 in USA

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), a forcefu l', original composer whose legacy influenced

almost ali western music , married the young Anna Magdalena in 1721 . She was a singer in the

court at Anhalt-Cbthen, where Bach presided over the musicians. Anna made their home a fountain

of musical support and was an inspiration for ali of their children, many of whom went on to be

accomplished musicians and prolific composers in their own right. For Anna 's 24th birthday,

J. S. Bach presented to her a beautiful, elaborate notebook. Over the years, the notebook was filled

with favorite select,ions of members of the Bach family , many in Anna's handwriting . How many of

these delightful, graceful short pieces were composed by J. S. Bach is unknown, but the genuine

merits of this warm , delightful collection of Baroque keyboard music is, nonetheless, well known

and appreciated by teachers and students.

This Alfred edition of Anna Magda/ena's Notebook was carefully and methodically prepared by

Willard A. Palmer from the original autographs. The simplicity and accessib ili ty of the pieces do not

undermine their melodic beauty or harmonic sophistication , making them an excellent choice for the

i,ntroduction of Baroque music to young musicians .

The painting Bach with His Fami/y at

Morning Oevotion was created by

Toby Edward Rosenthal in 1870. Ali

of Bach's chlldren received musical

training from him and, at one point,

he boasted he could form a vocal

and instrumental ensemble ~ ust from

his family alone. This painting was

chosen for this cover because it

conveys the love and encouraging

musical environment that was very

much a part of the Bach household.

J. S. BACH

A CD recording of the selections in

Anna Magdalena's Notebook, pertormed by

Valery Lloyd-Watts, is available separately (#16792).

ALFRED PUBLlSHING CO., INC. P.O. Box 10003, 16320 Roscoe Blvd . Van Nuys, CA 91410-0003

ISBN 0-88284-262-5

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