The album's track order creates an emotional and tonal circle, starting and ending in C minor/G major, mirroring a journey from the 17th to the 18th century and back.
Compositional Technique
The practice of preluding, where a free introductory piece for a single instrument preceded larger works, was common in the Baroque era, often involving improvisation.
Composer Biography
Johann Paul von Westhoff, a leading virtuoso of his time, was a member of the Dresden court orchestra and later concertmaster in Weimar, where J.S. Bach lived in his former house.
Historical Context
A 1705 print by London publisher Walsh, titled 'Select Preludes or Volentarys for ye Violin by the most eminent Masters in Europe', included works by Corelli, Purcell, and Biber, showing that newly composed pieces weren't the only ones played.
Album & Artwork
The album title "Senza Basso - Auf dem Weg zu Bach" (Senza Basso - On the way to Bach) refers to the performer's journey through solo violin repertoire leading up to Bach's famous works.
Interpretation
The performer, Nadja Zwiener, chose a repertoire for this album that predates Bach's 1720 solo violin works, offering a different perspective on the development of the genre.
Compositional Technique
Composing "senza basso" (without bass) in the Baroque era was a challenge, requiring composers to imply polyphonic structures on a predominantly monophonic instrument like the violin.
