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.
Soprano Mariví Blasco has performed at prestigious venues across Spain, in roles as varied as Mozart (Despina in Così fan tutte at the Teatro Arenal) and Poulenc (in Dialogues des Carmélites at the Teatro Real). This is her first collaboration with renowned keyboardist Yago Mahúgo, already a prominent recording artist with Brilliant Classics, whose CDs have previously garnered high praise. A specialist in historical performance practice, Mahúgo performs on a fortepiano by Keith Hill, modelled after Anton Walter (1796).
This CD contains a selection of Geistliche Oden und Lieder (sacred songs) by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the most talented son of the great Johann Sebastian.
By the end of the 18th century the Lied took its now familiar form: a strophic setting of poems for solo voice with the accompaniment of a keyboard instrument. C.P.E. Bach’s Lieder were mostly on sacred texts, by Gellert and Sturm. As always with this composer we are struck by the craftsmanship, originality and forward looking in his works. The accompaniment offers more than a simple basso continuo, they are richly written keyboard settings, featuring occasional ritornelli between the strophes. Beautifully sung by Spanish soprano Mariví Blasco, specialised in Early Music, cofounder of Accademia del Piacere and L’Arpeggiata. Yago Mahugo plays the fortepiano, is leader of the Ímpetus Madrid Baroque Ensemble and plays the keyboard solo versions of the songs as a bonus.
Recorded in Madrid, Spain in 2014.
Contains liner notes and biographies of the artists.
Contains the sung texts in Italian and English.
