Piano and Traverso

From 1760 on, the newly invented piano quickly replaced the harpsichord throughout Europe both as a solo and as a chamber-music instrument. Its dynamic and expressive capabilities encouraged the development of new forms both by Classicists, such as Haydn and Mozart, and by the first Romantics. At this same time, the middle of the 18th century, the traverso was immensely popular. Its often melancholic sweetness and subtle colors made it the instrument par excellence for expressing the new sensibilities. Piano and flute went very well together for some time, sharing numerous sonatas in which all the features of a new emotional language were developed.

Programme

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), 6 Preludes and Fugues from the first book of the Well-tempered clavier BWV 846, 847, 850, 852, 853, and 856
• Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788), Trio for flute and pianoforte in B-flat major W 161 No. 2
• Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788), Sonata for flute and basso continuo in G major W 133
• Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784), Sonata for 2 flutes without bass in E-flat major F 56
• Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784), Sonata for 2 flutes without bass in F major F 57

Les Boréades de Montréal: Francis Colpron, Grégoire Jeay, flute; Tom Beghin, pianoforte