The Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Christian Pezold (Composer), Francois Couperin (Composer), Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Composer), Johann Adolf Hasse (Composer), Johann Christian Bach (Composer), Igor Kipnis (Performer), Judith Blegen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Igor Kipnis, Judith Blegen
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Christian Pezold, Francois Couperin, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Adolf Hasse, et al.
• Audio CD (May 7, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005IX1
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,946 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Suite Pour lLe Clavessin In G, BWV 816 (French Suite #5 In G)

2. #8 Chorale Prelude, 'Jesu, Meine Zuversicht,' BWV 728

3. #11 Minuet In G, BWV 841

4. #3 Minuet In F, BWV Anh. 113

5. #4, 5 Minuets In G, g, BWV 114, 115

6. #6 Rondeau In Bb, BWV Anh. 183

7. #7 Minuet In G, BWV Anh. 116

8. #8 A-B Polonaise In F, BWV Anh. 117A-B

9. #9 Minuet In Bb, BWV Anh. 118

10. #10 Polonaise in g, BWV Anh. 119

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. #20B Aria, 'Erbauliche Gedanken eines Tobackrauchers,' In g, BWV 515A

2. #21 Minuet fait par Mons, Bohm In G

3. #22 Musette In D, BWV Anh. 126

4. #23 March In Eb, BWV Anh. 127

5. #24 (Polonaise) In d, BWV Anh. 128

6. #25 Aria, 'Bist du bei mir,' BWV 508

7. #26 Aria (Sarabande), BWV 988-1

8. #27 Solo per il Cembalo: Sonata In Eb, BWV Anh. 129

9. #28 Polonaise In G, BWV Anh. 130

10. #36 Minuet In d, BWV Anh. 132

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

2 Disc Set**First disc has 19 compositions and second disc has 20 compositions**Igor Kipnis, Harpsichord and Clavichord; Judith Blegen, Soprano; Benjamin Luxon, Baritone; Catharine Meints, Gamba

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An intimate recital, November 13, 2000

By 

Jonathan J. Casey (the twin cities) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach (Audio CD)

Anna Magdalena Bach's notebook is a wonderful collection of music by J.S. Bach, his son C.P.E., and various other composers, including lesser-knowns and many peices which have not been attributed to anyone. The credits above are a little misleading in this respect, but it's consistently great music all the way through. The Rondeau (track 6) is a particularly stunning work, tuneful and beautiful, clocking in at around 5 minutes. It was written by Couperin and comes from his second book of harpsichord works. Kipnis' performance is excellent, and while his style (decoration, rubato, etc.) is distracting on a few other selections, here it is marvelous and perfectly suited to the work.

The set makes a nice introduction to Bach's keyboard works, featuring the famous aria from the Goldberg Variations as well as the C major prelude from the well-tempered clavier book one. You'll recognize a few other tunes in here as well, as some famous (overused?) little minuets originate from this collection, even though many of them aren't Bach's. Kipnis' playing, while at times idiosynchratic, is for the most part very enjoyable. The harpsichord and clavichord both are 1970's models. I've heard bad things about harpsichords from that decade but it really isn't bad sounding. The harpsichord is not very resonant but isn't awful and clanging. While I enjoy the intimate choice of clavichord on many selections, the set could use some sequencing help as the volume difference between the two instruments is so great that for the most part it requires constant adjustment for the listener. The vocalists are also not the best in the world but there aren't too many songs here. I'd have to recommend McGegan's single disc recording on Harmonia Mundi for sound and value (all the "hits" are on it) but if you want the full picture then this is the way to go.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Joy to the ears (Mostly!), June 15, 2000

By 

D Scott (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach (Audio CD)

These pieces, originally written by Bach for his wife as lessons for their children is delightful. Some of the pieces will be familiar, while others are just simply romps through the keyboard. I found some of the pieces a bit unfinished, and unpolished, yet still enjoyable! The pices are played on Harpsachord and Clavechord, two instruments that will quickly take any listener back to the times of Bach. These instruments lend themselves to give a light and airy rendering of the music. While I am not particularly a fan of operetic styles, there are a few of these scattered through-out. I tend to skip these, though even these are easy to enjoy. Overall, I highly reccommend this version as one of the best and well composed renderings of the little known notebook of Anna Magdelana Bach!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I am in the 18th Century, May 14, 2011

By 

prospero "classiccrs" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach (Audio CD)

These works give the listener a little peek into the life of Johann Sebastian Bach and his second wife, Anna
Magdalena Bach. In the Bach household, music was at its core. Most of these "lessons" were composed by Bach for
Anna Magdalena, though she included works to reflect her musical taste; besides the fragment pieces from
his French Suites, there are works composed by Bach's sons and other composers of French nature, and also included are sacred and secular arias(all sung beautifully in German by Judith Blegen and Benjamin Luxon).This 2 disc set is one of the most complete Notebook recordings. The playing of Igor Kipnis on the harpsichord and clavichord is expressive yet controlled. The reason I did not give this charming display five stars is the change in sound recording between the uses of the harpsichord(louder and clearer) and the clavichord(lower and thinner), and the booklet which is printed for those having exceptional sight. I needed my magnifying glass to read it. Overall, it is the music that really counts and it is charmingly presented. 4.5 stars.