The first catalog of all Bach's works, the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV), appeared in 1950 under the authorship of Wolfgang Schmieder. A revised edition of this internationally recognized reference work was published 40 years later, followed by a so-called "small version" with further updates in 1998.

Now created in collaboration with the Bach-Archiv Leipzig is a completely redesigned edition of the BWV, taking into account the 21st century's altered knowledge and usage structures. The aim has been to develop a comprehensive and contemporary reference work for Bach's compositions that will appeal to interested lay readers as well as specialists familiar with Bach research.

• Contains the new research results since BWV² (1990) and BWV^2a (1998)
• Based on the previous well-established count of the works, though also systematically includes all works’ versions
• Pursues a new conceptual approach designed to interlink optimally with relevant online databases (e.g., Bach digital, RISM) and other reference sources
• Organizes the accompanying data (surveys of works and sources, work collections, dubious and erroneous attributions, diverse indices) in a new, user-friendly system