I just heard something very interesting about interpretation of Baroque music. This information is from an oboe teacher.
She says that Baroque music is much less straight laced than most people think. Apparently, much was left to the individual player. Trills, dynamics, and articulations were not always specified in the music. Improvisation was actually expected.
For example, when repeating a section, it was expected the player would add ornaments. Also, players were often expected to fill in wide interval jumps with scalar patterns, trills, grace notes, etc.
Can anyone speak to the validity of these claims? Also, does anyone know of recordings, either on marimba or the original instrument, where this approach was taken?
I would agree, although I'd be a little careful with that "filling in wide interval leaps."
Listen to any period instrument recording of the Bach violin sonatas and partitas -- Monica Huggett, Sigiswald Kuijken, Andrew Manze, etc.
WM
