Considerable mystery surrounds the relationship of Johann Sebastian Bach with his second wife Anna Magdalena – for example, when did they meet, how they meet, and what was the precise nature of their relationship, from a musical perspective, both before and after their marriage? Further, Anna Magdalena has always been cast in the role of dutiful housewife, mother, and then copyist of her husband’s music: yet it is known that she was an exceptional musician and highly paid for her skills. So, is this really the way it was? Was Anna Magdalena really just looking after the children and copying the music, or was she actually composing some of the music herself?

This paper explores the evidence that has been uncovered as a result of the application of the techniques of Forensic Document Examination to some of the manuscripts and writings of both Johann Sebastian Bach and Anna Magdalena. By piecing together the forensic evidence, other circumstantial and musical evidence, Found and Jarvis have shown that the traditional narrative of their relationship does not, in all probability, reflect the true nature of Anna Magdalena’s role in the life and musical output of her very famous husband.

Dr Martin W B Jarvis OAM is Associate Professor at Charles Darwin University and Artistic Director of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.

Besides conducting many orchestral performances, Welsh born Jarvis, is the author of ‘The String Players’ Pocket Dictionary’ which has sold worldwide. He has been published, both internationally and nationally, on a number of subjects, including the history and interpretation of the ‘Kreutzer Etudes for Violin’, the role of music within the community music and ‘Retrogressive Concatenation as a Means of Score Acquisition’. In his most recent research, with the assistance of Dr Bryan Found, Jarvis has applied the techniques of Forensic Document Examination to some of the manuscripts of Johann Sebastian Bach and his second wife Anna Magdalena, and has made some startling discoveries.

Associate Professor Jarvis has received a number of awards recognising his contribution to the cultural life of Australia. Among the awards received are an OAM in 2007, a Centenary Medal in 2003 for services to Australian Society, the inaugural ‘Orchestras Australia’ Award in 2000, for his contribution to the development of orchestral music in Regional Australia, Northern Territorian of the Year 1999 for his contribution to the Arts in the Northern Territory and Darwin Citizen of the Year 1989. In 2001 he was awarded a Fellowship of the Institute of Music Teachers, for his contribution to music education in Australia, and he is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Commerce and Industry (RSA).