J. Mattheson: Two Prob-stücke from the Grosse Generalbaß-Schule (1731)

The Grosse Generalbaß-Schule (1731) by Johann Mattheson (1681 - 1764) is one of the most important works on thorough bass in the 18th century german circles. Quite surprisingly, this work doesn’t deal with continuo playing in relationship with an upper voice, but with the solistic dimension the figured bass can take on. It includes 48 Prob-stücke (literaly “samples“ or “try-pieces“), each one followed by an explication (Erläuterung) in which Mattheson tackles a great variety of problematics (style, dance, t