Michael Gees - Bach - Mendelssohn - Metamorphosis (2017)

Michael Gees: How can a musical idea develop over and above what has been written down? What would Bach have thought about Mendelssohn? What would have happened had they been able to encourage each other to extemporise on their compositions? It is considerations such as these that lead me to explore the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy by way of adaptational improvisations. In this context, I want to mention the term historical performance practice. Once upon a time – long before the invention of jazz – it was desired of, and common for, performers to treat the prescribed material creatively, improvising on the works in front of them, not only playing them, but also playing with them.

TRACKLIST

01. Introduction Improvisation on Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825
02. Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: I. Prelude
03. Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: II. Allemande
04. Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: III. Courante
05. Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: IV. Sarabande
06. Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: V. Menuett I
07. Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VI. Menuett II
08. Partita in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VII. Gigue
09. Lieder ohne Worte Op. 30: No. 2 in B-Flat Minor. Allegro di molto, MWV U77
10. Lieder ohne Worte Op. 67: No. 3 in B-Flat Major. Andante tranquillo, MWV U102
11. Lieder ohne Worte Op. 30: No. 5 in D Major. Andante grazioso, MWV U97
12. Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach: No. 5 Menuet in G Minor, BWV Anh. 115
13. Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach: No. 4 Menuet in G Major, BWV Anh. 114
14. Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach: No. 22 Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126
15. Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach: No. 18 Marche in G Major, BWV Anh. 124
16. Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach: No. 19 Polonaise in G Minor, BWV Anh. 125
17. 6 Gesänge, Op. 19a: IV. Neue Liebe, MWV K70
18. 6 Lieder, Op. 71: VI. Nachtlied. Adagio, MWV K116
19. Prelude and Fugue in C-Sharp Minor, BWV 849: I. Prelude
20. Prelude and Fugue in C-Sharp Minor, BWV 849: II. Fugue
21. Lieder ohne Worte Op. 102: No. 5 in A Major. Allegro vivace "Kinderstuck", MWV U194