Release Date: 06 October 2017
Label: Challenge Classics
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 608917275124
Genres: Classical Solo Instrumental
Description
The German pianist Michael Gees is best known to Challenge Classics listeners for accompanying Christoph Prégardien, Anna Lucia Richter and other singers, but he's also known for solo albums in which he takes a remarkable improvisatory approach to well-known piano repertoire.
Here he takes us on an imaginative journey, revealing some kinship between the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn. These affinities go way beyond the fact that Mendelssohn 'discovered' Bach and resurrected performances of his music in 19th Century. Gees sees in his own way of dealing with music of the past when embellishment, adaptation and improvisation were widespread practice. Among the works he plays are Bach's Partita in B flat major and some of Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words.
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 led Gees to explore both composers 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."
Personnel: Michael Gees (piano)
Tracklisting
The Counterpoints
Narratio Quartet
Aart Bergwerff
Roberto Prosseda
Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Dejan Lazic, Jan Willem de Vriend
Ton Koopman
Duo Saraswati
Olivier Darbellay, Michael Gees, Christoph Pregardien
Michael Gees, Frans Ehlhart & Marion von Tilzer
Michael Gees
Michael Gees
