Who Was Anna Magdalena Wilcken?

(The early years in Cothen as described by Anna Magdalena Wilcken Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach’s second wife.)

Johann Sebastian Bach and I were married at his home in Cothen on December 3, 1721. I now am not only Johann Sebastian’s wife but I am also the mother to his four wonderful children, Katharina Dorothea who is now 13, Wilhelm Friedemann who is quite a musician already at age 11, and the younger Carl Phillip Emmanuel and Gottfried Bernhard, ages 7 and 6.

JS Bach and his sons

I now have a new life as a wife and mother, and in that role I am helping Sebastian with the children’s music studies. I also plan to continue my singing from time to time as one of the Prince’s female singers here in the court in Cothen. Lately, I have also found myself helping Sebastian by copying the dozens of parts needed for the instrumentalists and singers for the many performances of his music here at the court.

It was a big decision for me, at age twenty, to marry this great man, but I know we will have a wonderful life together. Sebastian is committed to composing music for his children, his growing number of students and me. He just completed 24 prelude and fugues for us to play. He inscribed it with the words, “for the use and profit of young musicians anxious to learn as well as for the amusement of those already skilled in this art.”

(This story is one of a many vignettes from the multi-media and organ program, Bach and Sons, presented by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist with David Jordan, media artist.)

Music for Anna Magdalena

(The later years in Cothen as described by Anna Magdalena Bach, JS Bach’s second wife.)

My husband and I have worked together collecting a group of pieces that I can use for my enjoyment, a Little Clavier Book for me, Anna Magdalena. We have included dances, some chorales, and of course some keyboard exercises. Johann Sebastian has also composed five French suites and other pieces for my little book. What a special gift this is. We are so happy.

Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cothen

Oh, and have you heard? The new princess here in Cothen does not seem to like music very much. It is a sad time for us as we thought we would make our home in Cothen for the rest of our lives working for a generous prince who loves and appreciates music. But now that Princess Friederica Henrietta is around the court, the Prince seems to have forgotten about his musicians and strives only to please her.

My Johann Sebastian is feeling unappreciated and ignored. This is not something he is used to here at Cothen. We have been talking about his desire to return to church music and our boys seem to be inclined to study so my husband wants them to attend a university–something my Johann Sebastian was never was able to do. It will be difficult to leave Prince Leopold, our great patron! But, I guess it is time for the great Johann Sebastian Bach to look for a new job.

(This is one of my vignettes included in the organ and media event, Bach and Sons, created and performed by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist, with David Jordan, media artist.)

JS Bach Unanimously Elected

(JS Bach elected as Cantor in Leipzig as told by Anna Magdalena Bach, JS Bach’s second wife.)

St. Thomas, Leipzig, Germany

It is June and we have just heard that the post of Cantor at St. Thomas’ in Leipzig is open. My Johann Sebastian will immediately apply for this prestigious post. An added joy to this month is that our first baby was born and we have named her Christiana Sophia Henrietta. Her brothers, Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Phillip Emmanuel and Gottfried Bernhard and big sister, Catharina Dorothea, are delighted with the baby. Ah, but back to the Leipzig story.

Finally my husband has been asked to come to Leipzig to interview for the post of Cantor at St. Thomas. We have heard that the council is “sorry,” as they say, “that they can’t have the best, and that they will make do with what there is.” Ah, but my Johann Sebastian will show them what a composer and performer he is! Well, that is exactly what JS did! We were told that the entire council, all 32 members, unanimously elected my husband as the new Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig.

(One of many vignettes from the organ and media event, Bach and Sons, as performed by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, organist with David Jordan, media artist.)

The Gossip Column of The National Scholars Magazine Includes the Bachs

(The arrival of the Johann Sebastian Bach family in Leipzig as told by Anna Magdalena, Johann Sebastian Bach’s second wife.)

A very famous magazine, the National Scholars’ Magazine of the Neutral Correspondent of Holstein, has written about our move to Leipzig. It is so good, I must quote exactly what they said about the Bach family’s move: “Last Saturday around noon, four coaches with household equipment arrived from Cothen. They belonged to the former royal court Kapellmeister who was called to Leipzig and appointed Cantor at St. Thomas’s. At two o’clock he and his family arrived in two coaches and moved into the newly renovated apartment at St. Thomas’s school.” So, we are in Leipzig now. All seven of us: Catharina Dorothea who is now 15, the three boys and the baby Christiana Sophia. Our apartment is large and beautiful and takes up three floors of a huge old building over a century old.

St. Thomas Choir, Leipzig, Germany

Johann Sebastian is trying to understand his new position. He has to report to so many different people. It really is very tricky because the Kantor, my Johann Sebastian, is basically the music director for all the churches in Leipzig. In his new position as Kantor he has to answer to: the rector of the St. Thomas School; the city council made up of three burgomeisters (mayors of the town); two deputy burgomeisters; and ten assessors. My heavens! How is he going to manage to keep everyone happy? Besides that he has to compose a lot of cantatas, teach at the school, and of course play for all the services, weddings and funerals. We will be a busy family helping him with all this work!

(This story is one of a dozen vignettes from the multi-media and organ program, Bach and Sons, presented by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist with David Jordan, media artist.)

I’ll Have An Espresso With That Harpsichord

(The Leipzig years as related by Anna Magdalena, Johann Sebastian Bach’s second wife.)

Our family continues to grow quickly! In fact, since we moved to Leipzig ten years ago, I have had a baby every year. So, yes, our home is getting more and more crowded with our growing family. In addition, many friends and extended family members often stop by for a visit and sometimes even stay for weeks at a time to work with Johann Sebastian and to make music together.

St. Thomas School and the Bach family home

One of our older sons, Carl Phillip describes our home as a “dovecote” and I tend to

agree. There is always something going on but it is in general a harmonious and pleasant home. Why I even have several linnets (beautiful little songbirds with red breasts and foreheads) in our home. They make such a sweet accompaniment to the music of our home. The older children are such a help with all the babies and Johann works hard to provide enough for all of us.

Sadly, though, Johann Sebastian and the rector of St. Thomas School, one of my husband’s many bosses, is a difficult man and their relationship is acrimonious at best. Therefore, to avoid conflict, Sebastian has started spending more and more time at Zimmerman’s Coffee House, which is just down the street from our home.

Pleasantries in Leipzig

At Zimmerman’s, a wonderful group of musicians called the Collegium Musicum, regularly perform there. I think my husband will soon take over the direction of the group. He has already started composing wonderful music for them. He is so happy when he is working with this talented group of musicians.

Prince of Anhalt-Koethen

Johann Sebastian and I had a wonderful New Year’s celebration this year. We were invited to Cothen to play and sing for the New Year’s Day festivities at the Court. It was good to be away from Leipzig for a few days and have the opportunity to see our old friends and make music together. In addition, our dear friend, Prince Leopold, paid us both very well. It brought back so many memories of our grand times in Cothen.

(This vignette is one of many in the Bach and Sons organ and media event created and performed by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, organist with David Jordan, media artist.)

The Bach Boys

(The lives the eldest Bach sons, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emmanuelas related by Anna Magdalena, Johann Sebastian Bach‘s second wife.)

We are so proud of our family.  All of our children are born musicians. Why, we can perform as a complete vocal and instrumental consort with just our family. It is such a joy to create glorious music together.

Our two oldest boys, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emanuel attended the University of Leipzig. Wilhelm Friedemann studied math, philosophy and law and graduated from this prestigious school in 1733. At the same time, Carl Philipp Emmanuel, began his education at the University of Leipzig also studying law. Carl Philipp continued to live at home with us and continued to serve as his father’s musical assistant.

After Wilhelm Friedemann completed his university education at Leipzig, he became the organist at the Dresden Sophienkirche in 1733. Our Wilhelm Friedemann is known as a great improviser and organist. Therefore, he creates incredible music for those who attend the services at the Sophienkirche, but he still does not like putting his music down on paper. Finally, however, he has committed to paper several of his glorious organ chorale preludes.

When Carl Philipp completed his academics in 1738, the Crown Prince, and soon to be King of Prussia, summoned Carl Phillip to Berlin to join his court as the royal harpsichordist. This is a very good position and one that I believe Carl Philipp will keep for many years. In fact, he just finished a set of organ sonatas for Princess Anna Amalia, the King’s sister, who studies the organ with him.

(This vignette is one of a many anecdotes included in the organ and media event, Bach and Sons, performed by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist with David Jordan, media artist.)

Johann Sebastian Bach Takes His Final Breath

(The last years of Johann Sebastian Bach’s life as related by Catharina Dorothea, Johann Sebastian Bach’s eldest daughter)

My father suffered from eye trouble for the last ten years of his life. By the beginning of 1749, he could no longer work to his full capacity. He was simply tired and broken from his constant eye trouble that at times rendered him nearly blind.

To make matters worse, the horrible and tactless authorities in the town council even allowed a candidate, a Herr Harrer, to take the examination for my father’s post of Kantor of St. Thomas a full year before my father’s death. The town chronicle also reported that the authorities were counting on the great Johann Sebastian Bach’s death. Still, my father continued when he was able with his compositions and correspondence with the help of his wife, Anna Magdalena and his new son-in-law and former pupil Johann Christoph Altnikol who married my sister Elisabeth Juliane Friederica. It was a difficult time for all of us.

Finally, my father’s eyesight and health declined dramatically. He struggled so and was so frustrated in not being able to see, that when we heard that a famous English eye specialist named John Taylor was visiting Leipzig, it was decided that our dear father would have the painful operation to restore his eyesight.

The excruciating eye surgery performed by Dr. Taylor in March seemed to help a bit, but then a month later, my father’s eyesight was nearly gone again. Therefore, Dr. Taylor performed this awful operation a second time.

Unfortunately, that operation turned out very badly and our father was then totally blind and greatly weakened by the ordeal and the harmful medications. We strove to make him comfortable, but he never gained his strength.

By July 22, with his children and his beloved Anna Magdelana at his side our father took his last communion at our home. He died only six days later on the evening of July 28 of a stroke. We buried him three days later at St. John’s cemetery.

From the pulpit of St. Thomas my father’s death was announced: “Peacefully and blissfully departed in God the Esteemed and Highly Respected Mr. Johann Sebastian Bach, Court Composer to his Royal Majesty in Poland and Serene Electoral Highness in Saxony, as well as Capellmeister to the Prince of Anhalt-Cothen, and Cantor in St. Thomas’ School, at the Square of St. Thomas.”

The greatest of the Bachs had left this world for the peace of the next.

This story is one of many vignettes from the multi-media and organ program, Bach and Sons, presented by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist with David Jordan, visual artist.

The Audience Hissed and the Choir Boys Laughed

(Sara Levy, student of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Friend of the Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach family, collector of Bachiana and great-aunt of Felix Mendelssohn relates how different Johann Christian Bach was from his father and brothers.)

Johann Christian Bach

Here is a little story to show you how different Johann Christian was from his father and brothers. As the story goes, the Queen of England commanded Johann Christian to play a concerto on the organ between the acts of his new oratorio. She wanted Johann Christian to emulate the great Handel’s style. As the story goes, the young Bach’s playing was so awful that the audience hissed and the boys in the chorus laughed. As you can imagine, Johann Christian was mortified!  He simply was not an improviser or a composer of organ music.

(This vignette is one of many anecdotes included in the organ and media event, Bach and Sons, performed by David Jordan, Media Artist and Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist.)