FORQUERAY / Oeuvres pour clavecin

CD FORQUERAY / Oeuvres pour clavecin Blandine Rannou

Jean-Baptiste Forqueray published these pieces in this form in 1747, but also for solo harpsichord ('Mises en PIièces de Clavecin'). There is nothing especially astonishing in this: we know just how widespread recourse to transcription was at the time. In fact, any piece for treble and basso continuo can be very naturally and easily played on the harpsichord: the melody in the right hand, the bass and the figured chords in the left hand or shared between the two hands. In the case of pieces for the viol, however, the process is less straightforward, and undoubtedly more exciting, for several reason:

The viol and its accompaniment share the same tessitura. - The viol is a harmony instrument, and the solo part itself already contains chords. - The viol very often shares the bass line with the continuo, roaming between melody and bass.