Formally Anna Magdalena, an
accomplished singer, gifted musician,
manuscript copyist. His second wife.
Bore thirteen children, devoted her life
to their family, his genius. So
she composed some of his great works? We know
she had servants to help, sister-in-law
to share the daily household grind, the chore
of management. Scores surviving in her hand
show no heaviness, suggest the quick and
deft corrections of a true creator.
So say those arguing she helped author
some of her husband’s work. Madness. A woman?
©Sue Norton
