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"From the Notebook..."

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 08/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""From the Notebook..."

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[Note: Amazon's listing as "Piano Book" here is a misnomer.]



For those (especially early music enthusiasts) who might seek a realization of the little keyboard pieces from the Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook, this collection may prove suitable.

2002 issue on Edel Classics (Berlin Classics) of a digitally remastered session which originally took place in 1969--(which makes sense, since that was on the wave of the Bach revival of that era).

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The AMB Notebook gives a window into Bach's home-life as it contains little keyboard pieces and songs which Bach's sons (and daughters) would have practised and sang.



There has always been some question as to the provenance of some of these works, and fans may find it disconcerting here to see attributions of favourite gems given to others besides Bach himself. (For example, several are curiously attributed to C.P.E. Bach; nevertheless, we may be certain that these little pieces were refracted through the Master's mind before being jotted into the Notebook.)



Specific favourites include the four Menuetts (Anh.114-16, 132); the three Polonaises (Anh.119, 125, 130); the two Marches (Anh.122, 124); and the amaranthine Musette (Anh.126).

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This particular session was realized on harpsichord (with soprano or baritone for the songs).

Comparable sets of these pieces may be found on Bach: Notenbuchlein fur Anna Magdalena realized on harpsichord, clavichord, and organ (with soprano), and

The Biggs Bach Book on solo organ--(much more intense and powerful).



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