''The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach'' (german: Chronik der Anna Magdalena Bach) is a 1968 film by the French filmmaking duo of

Jean-Marie Straub Jean-Marie is both a given name and a surname. Notable people with the name include: * Jean-Marie Abgrall (born 1950), a French psychiatrist, criminologist, specialist in forensic medicine, cult expert, and graduate in criminal law * Jean-Marie C ...

and Danièle Huillet. It was their first full-length

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

, and reportedly took a decade to finance. The film stars renowned

harpsichordist A harpsichordist is a person who plays the harpsichord. Harpsichordists may play as soloists, as accompanists, as chamber musicians, or as members of an orchestra, or some combination of these roles. Solo harpsichordists may play unaccompanied son ...

Gustav Leonhardt Gustav Maria Leonhardt (30 May 1928 – 16 January 2012) was a Dutch keyboardist, conductor, musicologist, teacher and editor. He was a leading figure in the historically informed performance movement to perform music on period instruments. Leo ...

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the '' Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard w ...

and Christiane Lang as

Anna Magdalena Bach Anna Magdalena Bach (née Wilcke or Wilcken) (22 September 1701 – 22 February 1760) was a professional singer and the second wife of Johann Sebastian Bach. Biography Anna Magdalena Wilcke was born at Zeitz, in the Electorate of Saxony. Whi ...

. The orchestral music was performed by Concentus Musicus and conducted by

Nikolaus Harnoncourt Johann Nikolaus Harnoncourt or historically Johann Nikolaus Graf de la Fontaine und d'Harnoncourt-Unverzagt; () (6 December 1929 – 5 March 2016) was an Austrian conductor, particularly known for his historically informed performances of music ...

. It is the first of several Straub-Huillet films to be based on works of

classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...

. The film was entered into the

18th Berlin International Film Festival The 18th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 21 June to 2 July 1968. The Golden Bear was awarded to the Swedish film ''Ole dole doff'' directed by Jan Troell. Jury The following people were announced as being on the jury for ...

. Though, as on all of their films, Straub and Huillet contributed to the film equally, Straub is the officially credited

director Director may refer to: Literature * ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine * ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker * ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty Music * Director (band), an Irish rock band * ''Di ...

Cast

– Johann Sebastian Bach * Christiane Lang – Anna Magdalena Bach *

Paolo Carlini Paolo Carlini (6 January 1922 – 3 November 1979) was an Italian stage, television and film actor. He appeared in 45 films between 1940 and 1979. He is perhaps best-known to international audiences for his supporting role as the hairdresser ...

– Hölzel *

Ernst Castelli Ernst is both a surname and a given name, the German, Dutch, and Scandinavian form of Ernest. Notable people with the name include: Surname * Adolf Ernst (1832–1899) German botanist known by the author abbreviation "Ernst" * Anton Ernst (1975-) ...

– Steger *

Hans-Peter Boye Hans-Peter is a given name. Notable people with the name include: * Hans Peter Aglassinger (born 1963), Austrian industrial designer *Hans Peter Anvin (born 1972), Swedish computer programmer, contributor to Free and open source software projects * ...

– Born *

Joachim Wolff Joachim (; ''Yəhōyāqīm'', "he whom Yahweh has set up"; ; ) was, according to Christian tradition, the husband of Saint Anne and the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The story of Joachim and Anne first appears in the Biblical apocrypha ...

– Rector *

Rainer Kirchner Rainer may refer to: People * Rainer (surname) * Rainer (given name) Other * Rainer Island, an island in Franz Josef Land, Russia * 16802 Rainer, an asteroid * Rainer Foundation, British charitable organisation See also * Rainier (disambiguation ...

– Superintendent *

Eckart Bruntjen Eckart is a German surname, and may refer to: * Anselm Eckart (1721–1809), German Jesuit missionary * Carl Eckart * Dennis E. Eckart (born 1950), American lawyer, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives * Dietrich Eckart (1868–1923 ...

– Prefect Kittler *

Walter Peters Walter may refer to: People * Walter (name), both a surname and a given name * Little Walter, American blues harmonica player Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–1968) * Gunther (wrestler), Austrian professional wrestler and trainer Walter Hahn (born 1 ...

– Prefect Krause * Kathrien Leonhard – Catherina Dorothea Bach *

Anja Fahrmann Aanya, Anya or Anja is a given name. The names are feminine in most cultures especially Indian, and unisex in several African and European countries. Origins and variant forms * Aanya or Anya is an Indian name that means inexhaustible, limitless ...

– Regine Susanna Bach *

Katja Drewanz Katja is a feminine given name. In Germany, the Netherlands, Flanders, and Scandinavia, it is a pet form of Katherine. Katja may refer to: Music *Katja Andy (1906–2013), German-American pianist * Katja Ebstein (born 1945), German singer *Katj ...

– Christine Sophie Henrietta Bach *

Bob van Asperen Bob van Asperen (born 8 October 1947, in Amsterdam) is a Dutch harpsichordist and early keyboard instrument performer, as well as a conductor. He graduated in 1971 from the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he studied the harpsichord with Gustav Leonh ...

– Johann Elias Bach * Andreas Pangritz – Wilhelm Friedemann Bach *

Bernd Weikl Bernd Weikl (born 29 July 1942) is an Austrian operatic baritone, particularly known for his performances in the stage works by Richard Wagner. He also has written books and directed operas. Career Born in Vienna, he moved with his family to M ...

– Singer in Cantata No. 205 *

– Prince of Anhalt-Köthen

Style and content

''The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach'' consists of excerpts from Johann Sebastian Bach's works, presented in chronological order and linked by a fictional journal written by his second wife,

. Each work is typically presented in a single, often immobile take, with the musicians performing in the locations where many of the works were premiered, dressed in period costumes.

Works featured

Works excerpted in the film, in order of appearance, are: *''

Brandenburg Concerto The ''Brandenburg Concertos'' by Johann Sebastian Bach (BWV 1046–1051), are a collection of six instrumental works presented by Bach to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt, MacDonogh, Giles. ''Frederick the Great: A Life in Dee ...

No. 5'', BWV 1050: Allegro 1 (First Movement), bars 147–227 *Prelude 6 in E major from the ''

Klavierbüchlein für Wilhelm Friedemann Bach ''Klavierbüchlein für Wilhelm Friedemann Bach'' (Bach's original spelling: ''Clavier-Büchlein vor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach'') is a collection of keyboard music compiled by the German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach for his eldest son Wil ...

,'' BWV 854 * (French) Suite #1 in D Minor from the ''

Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach The title ''Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach'' (german: Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach) refers to either of two manuscript notebooks that the German Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach presented to his second wife, Anna Magdalena. Ke ...

,'' BWV 812: Minuet 2 *Sonata No. 2 in D major for viola da gamba and obbligato harpsichord, BWV 1028: Adagio *Trio-sonata No. 2 in C Minor for Organ, BWV 526: Largo *

Magnificat in D major, BWV 243 Johann Sebastian Bach's Magnificat, BWV 243, is a musical setting of the biblical canticle Magnificat. It is scored for five vocal parts (two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass), and a Baroque orchestra including trumpets and timpani. It is the ...

: Sicut locutus est; Gloria (first part) *Partita #6 in E minor from the ''Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach'', BWV 830: Gavotte *Cantata BWV 205 ("Aeolus placated"): Bass recitative ("Ja! Ja! Die Stunden sind nunmehro nah") and Aria ("Wie will ich lustig lachen") *Cantata

BWV 198 The (BWV; ; ) is a catalogue of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was first published in 1950, edited by Wolfgang Schmieder. The catalogue's second edition appeared in 1990. An abbreviated version of that second edition, known as BWV2a ...

(Funeral Ode for Queen Christiane Eberhardine): Final chorus ("Doch, Königin! du stirbest nicht") *Cantata

BWV 244a ' (Cry, children, cry to all the world), also known as ' (Köthen funeral music), BWV 1143, BWV244a, is a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. He composed it in 1729 for the funeral of Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen. The music is lost, but the li ...

(Funeral music for

Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen (29 November 1694 – 19 November 1728) was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen. Today, he is best remembered for employing Johann Sebastian Bach as his Kapellmeister ...

): Aria, "Mit Freuden sei die Welt verlassen" (music lost, reconstructed from ''St Matthew Passion'', BWV 244, "Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben") *''

St Matthew Passion The ''St Matthew Passion'' (german: Matthäus-Passion, links=-no), BWV 244, is a '' Passion'', a sacred oratorio written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1727 for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra, with libretto by Picander. It sets ...

'', BWV 244: Opening chorus ("Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen") *Cantata BWV 42: Sinfonia (Da capo: bars 1–53) and tenor recitative ("Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats") *Prelude in B Minor for Organ,

BWV 544 The (BWV; ; ) is a catalogue of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was first published in 1950, edited by Wolfgang Schmieder. The catalogue's second edition appeared in 1990. An abbreviated version of that second edition, known as BWV2a ...

, bars 1–17 *''

Mass in B Minor The Mass in B minor (), BWV 232, is an extended setting of the Mass ordinary by Johann Sebastian Bach. The composition was completed in 1749, the year before the composer's death, and was to a large extent based on earlier work, such as a Sanctu ...

'', BWV 232: Opening (start of the '' first Kyrie'', bars 1–29) *Cantata BWV 215 (for the coronation of August III): Opening chorus ("Preise dein Glücke, gesegnetes Sachsen"), bars 1–181 *''

Ascension Oratorio Ascension or ascending may refer to: Religion * "Ascension", "Assumption", or "Translation", the belief in some religions that some individuals have ascended into Heaven without dying first * Ascension of Jesus * Feast of the Ascension (Ascen ...

'', BWV 11: final chorale, 2nd part *Conventional Sunday motet (11th after Trinity) by Leo Leonius from the Florilegium Portense *Clavier-Uebung, BWV 671: Organ-chorale from the 3rd part ("Kyrie, God Holy Spirit") *

Italian Concerto, BWV 971 The ''Italian Concerto'', BWV 971, originally titled ''Concerto nach Italiænischen Gusto'' (''Concerto in the Italian taste''), is a three-movement concerto for two-manual harpsichord solo composed by Johann Sebastian Bach and published in 1735 ...

: Andante *Cantata ''

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 ('Awake, calls the voice to us'), 140, also known as ''Sleepers Wake'', is a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, regarded as one of his most mature and popular sacred cantatas. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for the 27th Sunday ...

'' ("Awake, the voice calls to us"): 1st duet, bars 1–36 *''

Goldberg Variations The ''Goldberg Variations'', BWV 988, is a musical composition for keyboard by Johann Sebastian Bach, consisting of an aria and a set of 30 variations. First published in 1741, it is named after Johann Gottlieb Goldberg, who may also have ...

,'' BWV 988: Variation 25 *Cantata

BWV 82 The (BWV; ; ) is a Catalogues of classical compositions, catalogue of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was first published in 1950, edited by Wolfgang Schmieder. The catalogue's second edition appeared in 1990. An abbreviated version o ...

("I am content"), ''last recitative'' *Musical Offering, BWV 1079: Ricercar a 6, harpsichord, bars 1–139 *''

The Art of Fugue ''The Art of Fugue'', or ''The Art of the Fugue'' (german: Die Kunst der Fuge, links=no), BWV 1080, is an incomplete musical work of unspecified instrumentation by Johann Sebastian Bach. Written in the last decade of his life, ''The Art of Fug ...

'', BWV 1080: Contrapunctus XIV, bars 193–239 (harpsichord), last part *Chorale for Organ, BWV 668 ("Before thy throne, I tread"), bars 1–11

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach, The 1968 films 1960s avant-garde and experimental films 1960s biographical films 1968 musical films German avant-garde and experimental films German biographical films German musical films West German films 1960s German-language films Films set in the 18th century Films directed by Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet German black-and-white films Films set in Germany Films about classical music and musicians Films about composers Cultural depictions of Johann Sebastian Bach 1960s German films