Schirmer Performance Editions are designed for piano students and their teachers as well as for professional pianists. Pedagogical in nature, these editions offer insightful interpretive suggestions, pertinent fingering, and historical and stylistic commentary. Prepared by renowned artists/teachers, these publications provide an accurate, well-informed score resource for pianists.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) married his second wife in 1721. By that time, he was already an established organist, court and chamber musician, and Kapellmeister at the Cöthen court. After their marriage, the couple started right away on a Keyboard Notebook (Clavier–Büchlein) for Anna Magdalena's practice. Eventually they collected two separate books (begun in 1722 and 1725), which are known today as the Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach.