The flowering of the German Lied tradition may be most closely associated with Schubert, but in fact the genre has much deeper roots than that. Already in the 18th century, composers such as C.P.E. Bach were forming a musical language that would set the stage for its extensive development 100 years later. At this point, they made a distinction between the 'Lied', 'Ode' and 'Hymne'; Bach strongly preferred the Lied (or song), which was composed in verses, and required an accompaniment, unlike the ode. Indeed, Bach's keyboard accompaniments were so wonderfully florid that they could be performed without the singer – as 'Handstücke', as he marked in the score. This new recording includes versions of each Lied for fortepiano solo alone alongside the standard version with the soprano, giving the listener a unique chance to experience Bach's Lieder in two different but equally authentic ways.
Works:
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Bach, C P E: Geistliche Gesänge on Fortepiano Solo, H. 749
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Bach, C P E: Geistliche Oden und Lieder on Fortepiano Solo
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Bach, C P E: Geistliche Oden und Lieder Wq194